The campaign is being spearheaded by Conservative MP Robert Halfon with support from numerous patient organisations, including Headway and the Patients Association, as well as MPs from across the political spectrum.
The newspaper’s welcome intervention follows high-profile political pressure, with the MP for Harlow having already petitioned Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.
Speaking to the paper, Luke Griggs, Director of Communications at Headway, said: “Every day our Emergency Fund hears from desperate families who are struggling to meet the costs of hospital parking.
“Understandably, families want to be by their loved one’s bedside, particularly when in critical care or in a coma, for example. Following a brain injury, this can last many weeks or even months, meaning the daily costs of parking can reach into the hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
“Many people simply cannot afford to meet these costs.
“Charging people to use hospital car parks at a time when they are shocked, bewildered and vulnerable, compounds their burden when they need support the most.
“We fully support this important campaign and we’re delighted to have the support of the Express.”
Robert Halfon MP commented: “Hospital car parking charges are a stealth tax on the NHS and the bane of people’s lives.
“Despite the Government making it clear in 2014 that free car parking or concessions should be available, a postcode lottery on car parking charges still exists.
“The sick and the vulnerable are disproportionately hit by hospital parking fees. This injustice is backed up by several charities.
“Having campaigned since 2014, I know that there is clear public support for an end to this stealth tax.
“We all know being in hospital or visiting a poorly relative is stressful. Yet car parking charges mean that they are paying for the privilege to do so.
“It is time that this stealth tax on the sick was scrapped once and for all.”
Read more on the Daily Express website.
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