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Give hospital car parking charges the boot

The government has revealed they won’t be providing further help to cancer patients who pay to park at hospital during treatment in England.

We‘ve been working with Good Housekeeping to raise awareness of our campaign to offer free hospital parking for cancer patients in England. Currently, the situation is a postcode lottery with some hospitals already offering free parking for cancer patients, whilst others face charges of up to £3 an hour.

Over 10,000 people have backed our campaign to stop this unfair tax on illness. You can too by filling in the form below.

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Why are parking charges such a problem?

Two-thirds of cancer patients pay full price for parking, even if free or reduced car parking is available at their hospital
45% of patients say that hospital car parking charges have caused them stress or worry
On average, patients make 53 trips, costing £325 during the course of their treatment

What do we want

We want hospitals to provide cancer patients with the following:

Free, or at the very least, consessionary parking
Information on car parking to be given as standard for example, through appointment letters; on their website; through posters in waiting rooms and at reception desks; displayed in car parks and for hospital staff to be informed of charges
Easier to use car parking systems through pay at exit schemes; permits for concessionary rates and pre paid tickets

Ask your hospital about its car parking policy. Through local campaigning we can effect change. Let us know the situation at your hospital by emailing us at campaigns@macmillan.org.uk

What else you can do

Are you affected by high parking prices?

Ask your health professional or hospital receptionist if you are entitled to reduced parking charges.
Visit our financial support section to find out about schemes that may help with the cost of parking.
Read our latest report on hospital travel and parking costs [PDF, 216kb]
Have your say about parking charges in our Online Community.

It wouldn't be so bad if the funds went towards hospitals and their upkeep but they usually go to private companies. No one should profit from people being ill.
Campaign supporter, Fiona, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006

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Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.