A Staffordshire councillor has called for more concessionary parking fees to be offered to people facing regular trips to Stafford Hospital.

Councillor Ray Jones told Cannock Chase Council’s scrutiny committee that most people travelled to and from the hospital by car.

He said: “The current system doesn’t give people from this area a reasonable stay at the hospital without it costing a fortune.”

The committee heard that the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust’s income from car parking at Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals in 2007/2008 had been £512,000, making a profit of £179,000.

Councillor Jones urged the trust to introduce a concession tokens system, for those with appointments at the hospital and relatives facing regular visits.

Councillor Mary Easton insisted patients should be given one hour’s free parking.

She said: “It might be cheaper to go to Alton Towers for the day than park at Stafford Hospital.”

The committee agreed that the council’s new health scrutiny working group should look into the matter further.

The trust does offer concessions for visitors of long stay patients and those who have to attend frequent appointments for chemotherapy and dialysis.

Ward sisters also have the discretion to authorise reduced rates in exceptional circumstances.

A £15 permit for seven days is also available to carers of long stay patients.