For the first time in almost 5 years, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is set to increase car parking charges on 7 December 2009, to ensure that car park services continue to be effectively managed.

Robert Heavisides, Director of Facilities at Milton Keynes Hospital, said: “Reluctantly, the Trust’s overheads continue to rise, and, in turn, we need to increase charges to ensure that money is not diverted from patient care. This is the first rise in parking charges since 2005 at Milton Keynes Hospital and we continue to ensure that the first 15 minutes of parking remains free.”

Over recent years, many developments have taken place to ensure that the Trust provides adequate spaces for those who wish to park onsite.

From December 2009 changes to the patient and visitor car parking charges at are as follows:

Under 15 minutes    Free  (unchanged)
 
0- 1 hour
 £2.00
 
1- 2 hours
 £2.50
 
2-3 hours
 £3.00
 
3-4 hours                 
 £3.50
 
4-6 hours                 
 £4.00
 
6-8 hours                 
 £4.50
 
8-11 hours
 £5.00
 
12-24 hours             
 £8.00
 
7 day permit            
 £20
 

Recent improvements to car parking:

•A £7.5 million multi-storey car park was completed in 2007, which delivered an additional 1,000 spaces to the site.
•Public car parking is now available adjacent to all main entrance points to the hospital.
•The number of disabled parking spaces has increased and the introduction of barriers has removed the penalty notice system previously in place.
•Milton Keynes Hospital has achieved the Park Mark Award for Safer Parking, demonstrating that the Trust offers high quality, safe parking for all who use our services, visit the Trust or work with Milton Keynes Hospital.
Robert Heavisides added: “We are increasing car parking charges to ensure that maintenance is covered, and so that we do not divert any money from patient care.”

“The funds raised go towards the upkeep of car parks to ensure that service users, visitors and staff have access to secure parking. Any excess funds are used to help improve patient care.”

“The improvements that we have made mean that there are always car parking spaces for patients and visitors at the hospital, no matter what time people wish to park. We have ensured that patients, relatives and visitors can park near to entrances.”

Free parking and concessions remain the same. It is free for the following to park:

•Disabled permit holders
•Macmillan attendees
•Paediatric cancer attendees
•Volunteers
•Parking costs reimbursed for people receiving benefits
Where does the money from car parking charges go?

·         Road and parking space maintenance

·         Ensuring visitor, patient and staff safety

·         CCTV Camera System

·         Swipe Card Door Control

·         24 hour security team

·         Contribution to the cost of the Trust’s dedicated Police Officer

·         Maintenance of roads, grounds, gardens, as well as the re-lining of roads, cleaning and path gritting

·         Capital charges

For further information please contact: Jenny Murray, Communications Manager, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Tel: 01908 243922, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Anna Pryor, Membership Officer, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Tel: 01908 243300, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.