Ministers called upon to intervene as parking prices rocket at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital
Controversial increases in parking charges at a Black Country hospital have prompted calls for ministers to intervene.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin spoke out after parking charges at Russells Hall Hospital went up by 50p for half an hour.
Bosses have defended the decision saying running and maintenance costs meant the rise was needed following a two year price freeze.
Parking for up to 30 minutes now costs £1.50 up from £1, an hour costs £2.60 up from £2 and three hours is up to £4.60 from £4.
Long stay parking for up to 24 hours has risen by just 10p and now costs £5.60.
Mr Austin 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.
"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.
"The government needs to take a hands-on approach to tackle this issue so I'll keep pushing for action to bring down parking prices for patients."
Health Minister Ben Gummer replied that hospitals have been issued guidance to help regular visitors with the cost of parking.
He said: "You are entirely right that those who seek to access acute services require special treatment. That is why we issued guidance in the previous Parliament. I hope that your local hospitals will be looking at that with due care."
Paula Clark, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said patient and visitor car park charges had remained unchanged for two years and that pressures such as running costs had forced the trust to increase the charges.
"We do not take decisions to increase charges to patients lightly," she said.
