A sharp hike in hospital car parking prices has been branded a "real concern" for both staff and patients by councillors.

Since April 2022, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust has increased the price of car parking by approximately eight per cent.

From September 2023, a short stay of up to one hour increased by 20p, while stays of up to five hours increased from £7.50 to £8.10.

Six hours went from £8.50 to £9.20 and stays up to 12 hours increased by £1 to £14.

There was no change to seven day stays, but a 30-day ticket, previously £55, is now £59.40, while a 14-day pass has jumped from £38.50 to £41.60.

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Southampton General Hospital, one of the hospitals affected by car park pricing risesSouthampton General Hospital, one of the hospitals affected by car park pricing rises (Image: Newsquest) Conservative councillor Jeremy Moulton described the hike in prices "another stealth tax" and said he does not support the increases.

Cllr Moulton said: “The health service is getting more funding and they should become more efficient, rather than effectively charging for services which are meant to be free at the point of delivery.”

Liberal Democrat councillor George Percival said the increase was a "real concern" and is likely to push more hospital staff onto nearby residential streets, making parking even harder for those living near the hospital.

Cllr Percival said: “Employers shouldn’t be charging their staff just to get to work.

“When I visited Ronald McDonald House based at the Hospital, I saw how much they do to support families with sick children.

"Many of these families already face tough times, and higher parking charges just add to their worries.

“I’ve also been working with developers to bring more housing closer to the hospital to help reduce the need for cars.

"Expanding park-and-ride schemes across the city could provide hospital staff and visitors with a more affordable and convenient option.”

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Nationally, at least one in four NHS trusts upped parking charges between April 2022 and March 2024.

Parking fees for hospital staff in England were waived in July 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but this temporary measure ended on March 31 2022.

University Hospital Southampton's response

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton said: “The decision to increase parking charges is reflective of the increased costs of operating and maintaining our car parks.

“We continue to offer either free parking for Blue Badge holders and a range of concessions for those patients with the greatest need.

“There are also options of purchasing seven, 14 or 30-day tickets which bring charges down considerably, while refunds are available for patients and visitors who receive certain benefits.

“Any revenue from charges which is not allocated to upkeep, security or improvement of our car parks is invested directly into supporting frontline patient services.

“Our preference wherever possible is to encourage anyone visiting our sites to consider alternative means of travel not only to help reduce congestion on site and in the local area but to also support our sustainability values, though we appreciate this is not always appropriate for many of our visitors.”

The trust runs Southampton General Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton Children's Hospital, New Forest Birth Centre, Royal South Hants Hospital and Lymington New Forest Hospital.