jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

Parking charges for people visiting patients at Medway Maritime Hospital may become a thing of the past if the government keeps to its promises.

It has pledged to scrap some parking charges at NHS hospitals but campaigners say the policies don’t go far enough.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham has announced in-patients will be given a parking permit to last for the duration of their stay in hospital which they can give to family and friends to put in their car windscreens during visits.

However, out-patients will still face the charges when they visit hospitals for treatment.

Ciarán Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, whihc has recently opened its new care unit at Medway Maritime Hospital said the government must reconsider its plans.

He said: “We applaud the government for recognising the high cost to families visiting relatives in hospitals, but are disappointed that they have ignored the same high cost of parking charges to those cancer patients having treatment as out-patients.

“Hospitals save £6,000 by delivering a six-week course of radiotherapy as an out-patient - money which could, and should, be used to help all cancer patients with the cost of parking. The government must reconsider and lift this great financial burden from those cancer patients attending regular treatment as out-patients.”

Gareth Hughes, head of facilities at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The intention to phase out car parking charges for all inpatient visitors within three years was announced just last week.

"When more guidance is received the trust will review the most appropriate way to comply with it.”