MPs express their anger at new hospital parking charges

The changes will see motorists being charged £2 for up to an hour at Dewsbury and District Hospital and Pinderfields Hospital, sparking outrage amongst visitors and MPs Jo Cox and Paula Sherrif, who have both expressed their concern.

Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox said: “This is a huge rise in car parking costs, more than 50 per cent for those staying up to an hour.

“It will have a big impact on my constituents, and many others who use Dewsbury and District Hospital.

“The Trust has finally acknowledged the financial pressures this government is putting it under.

“The financial settlement for the Trust and the NHS generally is not enough, and now that cost is being passed on to people who are sick and in many cases vulnerable, and their families.

“This is not the spirit in which the NHS was founded, and does not reflect the rhetoric of David Cameron - he promised to protect the NHS.”

Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff added her concern.

She said: “I am extremely disappointed by the manner in which I was informed of these changes.

“To receive information such as this, which will have a huge impact on many of my constituents, with less than 48 hours’ notice is completely unacceptable.

“I have requested a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Trust and have let my feelings known on how the situation has been handled.

“I do not support the implementation of hospital parking charges for blue badge holders regardless of the Trust’s deficit.”