PARKING cost rises at Nottingham's hospitals have "appalled" staff, according to a union leader.
Patients and visitors will have to pay 10p more and employees' monthly charges will rise by than 12 per cent – from £20 to £22.50 – for the lower pay bands and by more than 13 per cent – from £30 to £34 – for the highest from May 1.
Daniel Mortimer, director of workforce and strategy for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "By funding our car parks and free Medilink bus service from the income we make from car parking charges, we protect NHS money for patient care.
"The 10p increase will allow us to cover our costs for provision and maintenance without hitting visitors too hard in their pockets. Our staff car parking charges are also increasing – for the first time since 2010.
"Increasing our charges is never going to be a popular decision. But the reality is that we, along with other hospitals and public sector organisations, face tough financial challenges and decisions this year and in future years.
"In response to feedback from patients, visitors and staff, we invested £3 million improving our car parks over the last three years. Improvements included a new car park at QMC, improved CCTV, lighting and foot patrols and new number-plate-recognition software.
"A small part of the income we make from car parking will go towards the cost improvement programme at NUH.
"We are continuing to work with partners at the city council to ensure the new tramline arrives on schedule in 2015, which will make NUH the only hospital in the country to be directly served by tram and bus."
But James Kettle, assistant branch secretary for staff union Unison, said: "From a branch point of view, we are opposed to any of the car parking charges going up.
"We're still in discussions with the trust.
"From the hospital's point of view, it is final but we're still in negotiations.
"It's OK saying it's not that much of a rise but the staff here have to pay monthly and because of the economic state, we have not had a pay rise for four years.
"The reaction from the staff at the moment is that they are appalled by it. They're the ones suffering."
Jane Wilson, of Chilwell, represents patients in a patient and public involvement group.
She said: "Obviously, it will affect people – those on limited incomes are being squeezed. It's something added to normal worries."
Each band of visitor charges will increase, with up to two hours rising from £3 to £3.10, two to four hours from £4.50 to £4.60 and over four hours from £5.50 to £5.60.
Free parking will still be available for Blue Badge holders and those who need regular, repeat visits to hospital.
