Car park price hike at hospitals in Grantham, Lincoln and Boston criticised by patients and councillor

Parking fee hikes at Lincolnshire hospitals have sparked concern from patients, visitors and campaigners.

Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group confirmed the changes will see fees at Grantham, Boston and Lincoln hospitals rise from £1 to £2 for one hour, and from £2 to £5 for up to four hours, from July 1.

A 30-minute free parking period, however, will remain in place.

The trust has defended the decision by noting prices have been frozen since 2020 and that the increases will fund improvements under the national Safer Parking Scheme.

However, the move has been criticised by South Kesteven district and Grantham town councillor Charmaine Morgan, who warned of its potential effect on lower-income families and those facing long hospital stays.

She said the trust failed to consult Lincolnshire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, on which she sits, and said the increase would “hit lower-income people hard” at a time when fuel, taxi and bus costs are also rising.

“It is really poor that they've increased those charges so much, bearing in mind that these are on top of the charges people are having to pay to get to the different hospitals from across the county as well,” she said.

“Even walking to a ward can take 15 minutes. These charges feel like a penalty for doing the right thing.”

Coun Morgan also cited personal experience, recalling when her mother spent nearly three weeks in hospital and required daily visits.

She called the fees a deterrent to vital family support.

“If visitors are, for example, bringing clothing, toiletry items or reading materials to patients, they’re effectively being made to pay in order to provide valuable support. It just doesn’t seem fair,” she said.

“We know that having visitors is hugely beneficial to patients – to their wellbeing and to their recovery – so you would think the hospital would recognise and support that.”

She noted services not provided in some hospitals, such as maternity at Grantham, already forced patients to drive up to 40 minutes away to get to Boston or Lincoln before charging them for parking.

On LincsOnline social media pages, many echoed her concerns.

Some called it a “tax on the sick”, noting the strain on visitors delivering essentials or staying long.

Several also criticised the condition of the car parks, enforcement practices, and the lack of free parking seen in Wales and Scotland.

“Parking in hospitals should be free. No one wants to be there. It’s a tax on the sick…” said Lorna Beardsmore.

“It costs a fortune because of the time you have to wait to be seen. How they can put the parking fees up when there isn’t enough staff to get people in and out quickly is beyond me,” added Doreen Carter.

“You can’t even get a parking space within 30 minutes of arriving on site at Pilgrim! What a joke!” said Hannah Kate.

“It’s not as if people park in the hospital car park for a cheap day out in town, is it?” said Lee Martin.

The hospital group insists more spaces are now available for patient use and that further improvements are planned.

These include introducing parent and child spaces, reviewing the number of blue badge bays for people with disabilities, and creating clearer walkways and layout improvements in line with the national Safer Parking Scheme.

It also continues to offer free motorcycle parking and free access for blue badge holders, subject to registration.

Mike Parkhill, group chief estates and facilities officer, said: “Parking charges were reduced at the hospitals in 2020 and these prices have remained in place for the last five years.

“We continue to have concessions in place for many patients and this has not changed.

“This includes those with a blue badge, those patients undergoing cancer treatment and parents or guardians staying with children who are admitted to one of our wards.

“For further information about our concessions we advise patients to talk to the ward or department that is caring for them.

“We are also continuing to offer the first 30 minutes for free for all patients and visitors to our hospitals.”

Coun Morgan believes Lincolnshire County Council’s health scrutiny committee should consider discussing the matter further.

“These charges can have a significant impact on the public’s access to hospital services – and we are there to represent the public.”