WARRINGTON and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust raked in more than £2 million from parking charges for staff, patients and visitors in the last year.

Figures released by the NHS showed that the trust took £1,357,016 from charging visitors and patients to park while staff parking generated £643,599.

The data analyses charges from April 1 2018 to March 31 this year.

Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:

"Hospital parking charges are ultimately a tax on the sick.

"While charges can stop spaces being abused, and are sometimes required by PFI deals, taxpayers take a dim view of being charged again and again to visit hospital, despite having already paid for the NHS through their taxes.

"This debate has raged on for years.

"Health bosses must listen to the public mood and stop seeing car parking as a revenue raiser."

Warrington and Halton NHS Trust was approached for comment but declined. 

Warrington Guardian readers have shared their views on the findings.

Chris Connor said: 'Shame the money doesn't go to more adequate parking provision... So stressful and frustrating finding a space at times which many people could do with out when visiting the hospital'.

Phil Stott added: 'As someone who has a chronic condition that leads to hospital attendance at least twice a month I find this annoying. I cannot work due to my condition yet my wife has to pay every time attends. She attends to assist me with my condition but cannot get any concessions. It's a tax on the sick nothing else'.

While Phill Tinker said: 'I'd be happy to pay if my contributions meant that staff could park for free'.