GOVERNMENT plans to exempt drivers visiting hospital patients from paying parking fees could have a financial impact on Hospitals, a spokesman claimed.

Health secretary Andy Burnham made the announcement at the Labour Party conference in Brighton. He said the move would bring hospitals in England into line with those in Scotland and Wales, which already have free parking for patient visitors.

Mr Burnham said over the next three years, the Government wants to phase out car parking charges for in-patients, giving each a permit for the length of their stay which family and friends could use.

The scheme would probably cost Government £100million a year.

Southend-hospital.co.uk" target="_blank">Southend Hospital has recently spent £9million on a new multi-storey car park to relieve parking stress around the hospital where residents have been calling for urgent action to be taken.

Hospital spokesman Carly Harrison said: “There will be a financial impact.

“Now the majority of staff who drive to work have parking provided via the new multi-storey car park. Our surface car parks are for our patients and visitors.

“It would be wonderful to provide the parking facility free of charge.

“However, the financial upkeep and maintenance still needs to be funded and we understand the Government would take this into consideration if they abolish the parking fee structure.

“Busy car parks like those in general hospitals are subject to a great deal of wear and tear all year round and we need to ensure the surfaces, legal markings and lighting are all effectively maintained to meet health and safety requirements.”

Liberal Democrat Prittlewell ward councillor Ric Morgan said: “In this area, we would welcome free parking at the hospital.

“Often the hospital car parks are half-empty while our streets are jam-packed full of cars from visitors who don’t want to pay the £2 minimum charge.

“I believe it will make things a lot better in this area, but I don’t expect the hospital will be very happy about it.”

At Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals, about 14,000 people a month use the 45 minutes of free parking offered by the local trust.

Adam Sewell-Jones, director of finance and continuous improvement, said the trust tried to make charges affordable and they covered running, maintainance and security for the car parks.

He said: “Until the details of this new policy are revealed, it is difficult for us to comment.

“Previously we have said the car park has to pay for itself and cannot draw on the income we receive for patient care.

“We offer free parking for the first 45 minutes, and free parking for blue badge holders and volunteers, along with concessionary free parking to assist patients, relatives and carers who visit our hospitals frequently.”