Mixed reaction to hike in Shropshire hospital parking fees

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust scrapped the £2 flat charge at both the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Tellford's Princess Royal Hospital from this morning.

A new system will see visitors charged £2.50 for up to two hours, £3 for up to five hours and £3.50 for up to 24 hours. But parking will be free for visits of less than 30 minutes.

Visitors to the RSH today gave a mixed reaction to the new charges. David Jones, from Bayston Hill, said he had to pay £2.50 after taking his wife Olwyn to hospital in the morning. He said he would be likely to have to pay again later today.

"I have just come out and paid £2.50," he said. "Hopefully, she will be coming out later on and I have to pay again. I think it is quite expensive.

"The attendant who was helping me had a bit of difficulty with the machine. It does seem quite expensive, especially for people who go regularly."

But Karen Wagg, from Telford, said she thought introducing staggered prices depending on how long a person parks for made sense. She said it is better that the £3.50 charge is for extended parking and not just a flat rate.

"They have done it on a time-frame. It makes sense in a way," she said.

"If it was going up to £3.50 for the day it would be a bit much. Sometimes, you are only there for 15 minutes, just nipping in."

A new automatic number plate recognition system has been introduced at the RSH as part of the changes, with the system to be introduced at the PRH later this winter.

Pete Wilson, from Madeley in Telford, said the new system appeared to be working smoothly. But he said he did not agree with hospitals charging patients and visitors to park.

"I don't think anybody is keen on prices going up, whatever it is for," he said. "I have always been of the opinion you shouldn't have to pay for parking. The only thing they need to do is maintain them and it doesn't take much. But a lot of the money does go into care and I think it is difficult to take it away now it is there."

The changes, which were agreed last year, have provoked an angry reaction from county MPs, with Shrewsbury and Atcham representative Daniel Kawczynski writing to Chancellor George Osborne asking for him to block the rise.

The hospital trust say the changes are the first increase in parking prices for eight years and are essential to maintain health services.

Concessions will be available for people on long-term treatment plans or who are visiting hospital regularly.

James Wharton, from Highley, said: "For a flying visit it's not too bad but, for people who come here often, it is disgusting. I am certainly not a fan of the price rise."

Cancer

Mohammed Ramzan, 37, from Arleston, said: "There are people here this morning who had no idea about the extra charges.

"I spoke to a woman whose husband has got cancer so she comes here a lot and the extra 50p is not helping her at all."

A new automatic number plate recognition system has been introduced at the RSH as part of the changes, with the system to be introduced at the PRH later this winter.

Pete Wilson, from Madeley in Telford, was visiting the hospital in Shrewsbury. He said the new system appeared to be working smoothly but he said he did not agree with hospitals charging patients and visitors to park.

"I don't think anybody is keen on prices going up, whatever it is for," he said.

"I have always been of the opinion you shouldn't have to pay for parking. The only thing they need to do is maintain them and it doesn't take much to maintain them.

"I feel the car parking charges should never have started.

"But a lot of the money does go into care and I think it is difficult to take it away now it is there."

David Osbourne, who was at the PRH, said: "I don't mind paying it if it's going back into the hospital and helping to care for people."

Tim Chanley, from Shrewsbury, said: "This is the first time I've come to the hospital for a while.

"But I'm totally against charging people to park at hospital."

Representatives from the hospital trust say the changes represent the first increase in car parking prices for eight years and are essential to maintain health services.

Concessions will be available for people on long-term treatment plans or who are visiting hospital regularly.