'Shameful': Parking charges on the rise at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital
Parking charges have risen at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital, with short-stay tariffs increasing by as much as 50 per cent.
Hospital bosses have come under fire over the changes which have drawn stinging criticism from politicians in the town.
But chiefs have defended the move, saying running and maintenance costs meant a hike was needed and that the changes come after a two-year freeze on tariffs.
People parking for up to 30 minutes now have to pay £1.50 rather than £1.
An hour-long stay costs £2.60 - up from £2, while an hour and a half's parking has risen by 60p to £3.60.
A stay of up to three hours has increased at the same rate, rising from £4 to £4.60. While a long stay of up to 24 hours has risen by 10p and now costs £5.60.
Dudley Councillor Bill Etheridge, who has campaigned fiercely on the issue in the past, called the move 'utterly disgusting'.
"I think it's shameful. There is absolutely no excuse for this," he said.
"The public are visiting relatives at a time of great stress and upset and let's not forget this is one of the poorest areas not just in the West Midlands but the whole country.
"On every level this is practically, ethically and morally wrong."
Councillor Etheridge also said the move could lead to congestion on surrounding roads as more visitors seek to avoid paying the inflated charges.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin vowed to write to the Health Secretary over the parking rise.
He said: "Like any other local family we queue up at Russells Hall when we're ill, so I know how parking charges can rack up quickly – that's why I have always campaigned against these charges.
"Lots of people in Dudley have got in touch with me to say how frustrating it is to have to spend so much on parking when going to the hospital for an appointment or to visit loved ones.
"These fees often hit vulnerable people at a time when they may already be facing a fall in their income, and I want them cut."
Paula Clark, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Patient and visitor car park charges have remained unchanged for the past two years. Unfortunately, pressures such as running costs and keeping the car parks safe and secure has forced us to increase the charges.
"We do not take decisions to increase charges to patients lightly and we have checked the market rate to see how we compare to local trusts, some of which charge for the first 15 minutes and most charge more for all day parking."
