Free parking for patients at Worcestershire Royal Hospital to end

Patients and visitors have enjoyed free parking at the city's hospital since the peak of the covid pandemic.

However, with an increase in the number of people visiting the site, the Trust will reinstate the charges.

Parking fees were waived during the Covid-19 pandemic, but health secretary Sajid Javid said that the benefit would end on Friday.

However, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said it would not reinstate the charges for patients until June 1.

NHS staff at the hospital will be able to benefit from free parking until the end of June.

Barriers at Worcestershire Royal hospital have been consistently raised since the beginning of the pandemic.

In an update on Covid-19, Mr Javid wrote: “Free parking in hospital car parks for NHS staff introduced during the pandemic will also come to an end on 31 March.

“However, over 93% of NHS trusts that charge for car parking have implemented free parking for those in greatest need, including NHS staff working overnight.”

He added: “On behalf of the Government, I would like to record my thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to keep people safe over the last two years and whose efforts have enabled us to move to the next stage of the Covid-19 response.”

However, the Trust has said that we will be continuing to offer free parking for staff until at least the end of June, whilst the staff parking policy is being reviewed.

The Trust operates both a pay on foot and a pay and displays car park charging system. 

The 'pay on foot' payment system means that you will be given a ticket at the barrier as you enter the car park, and when you leave the hospital you use one of the pay machines to pay the charge and have the ticket validated. Pay machines are situated inside the main entrance, inside A&E and in each main car park. 

The pay and display machines are located at roadside spaces and smaller car parking areas that are not barrier controlled. 

The trust has also introduced a 'one-hour' car park rate as a response to patients and visitors who told us that their visits are often for no longer than an hour and they would like the option of a reduced fee.

The full prices are as follows:

• Up to one hour: £2.50
• 1-2 hours: £3.70
• 2-4 hours: £4.50
• 4-6 hours: £6.00
• 6-24 hours: £7.50

This article has been amended to include new information provided by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust that confirms hospital patients will not have to pay until June 1.