The Liberal Democrat Group on Milton Keynes City Council have called on the Government to scrap hospital parking fees as families in the city were charged over 1 million pounds last year.
New NHS figures have revealed that patients and visitors to Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust paid around £1,020,200 in parking fees last year (2021/21).
Now, Milton Keynes Lib Dems have called the fees “despicable” and have urged the Government to scrap the fees as the people of Milton Keynes struggle through the cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Jane Carr, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Public Health said: “As our hospital is pushed to breaking point it is local people who are paying the price.
“The parking charges are despicable. People in Milton Keynes now not only have to worry about terrible waiting times but also whether they can even afford to attend appointments as patients and to visit loved ones.
“The Government should immediately provide the funding needed to scrap parking fees for patients and relatives.
“It is completely wrong that local residents have to fork out thousands of pounds to attend vital appointments for the sake of their own health and to see their ill loved ones during this cost-of-living crisis.”