Hospital Parking Criticised

"The situation here has become even more pressing after the complete abolition of parking charges in Scotland.

"Even if we accept the need for a reasonable fee, it would be more like 50-60 pence an hour. The minimum charge every one has to pay to use Ealing HospitalÕs car park is, indeed, a 'stealth tax on the sick'.

"Outpatients use the car park for their appointments, or, routine tests lasting less than an hour. But they still have to pay this hefty minimum charge. Similarly, relatives and friends coming to see patients have to fork out this fee even though they stay for short periods lasting from half an hour to forty minutes.

"In the current harsh financial climate £3.50 is not a small amount of money for the unemployed, pensioners and families on average incomes."

Councillor Ranjit Dheer said: "We've written this letter as there have been sporadic complaints to us in surgeries in the past.

"Gradually, a picture has emerged that people do feel unhappy about it. But it wasn't until Scotland scrapped the car parking charges last week that we decided to contact the local trust. We suggest that ideally there should be no charge but that wouldn't be possible."

Mr Dheer added residents in the area are already worried about poor standards in the hospital as publicised in the national ratings league table.

"It does nothing to increase their confidence to see such punishing charges levied by hospital management on those who have no choice. We, therefore, ask management to urgently review this matter in the interests of users of this essential facility in the area."