YOUR hospitals raked in £100,000 from parking charges this year, the Lancashire Telegraph can reveal.

The haul — from hospital pay and display machines across East Lancashire — is close to double the amount made four years ago and has been branded a 'tax on the sick'.

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT) has made £340,000 from parking charges since 2013, according to freedom of information figures obtained by this newspaper.

The trust made £55,000 in 2013/14, £68,650 the year after and £115,450 last year.

The figures relate to Royal Blackburn and Burnley General teaching hospitals, and Pendle, Clitheroe and Accrington Victoria community hospitals.

Former health boss Cllr Azhar Ali, the Labour leader on Lancashire County Council, said: "Hospitals should not be making profits from people who are sick and disabled and simply visiting the hospital to see a doctor.

"If this money is being made from car parking, I'd like to know where the money is going, as there are big issues with the size of car parks in the area.

"This money is being made while cuts are made to frontline health services.

"Hard-pressed nurses on low pay who can't get a pay rise also can't afford to pay these charges.

"I would like to see hospital car parking charges scrapped or significantly reduced as they are a tax on the sick."

Chloe Westley, campaign manager at the TaxPayers Alliance said that people would feel let down at the scale of the charges.

She said: "Hospital parking is often scarce so some charges can help ensure it isn't abused, but many taxpayers will feel let down at the scale of these charges at a time when many of them are simply visiting sick relatives."

Paul Wood, operations manager at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in the North West, said increased car parking charges were just one example of the 'increased financial pressures' nurses are facing on their already 'stretched financial situation'.

He said: “While we appreciate that parking is a challenge for all hospital trusts, they certainly have a duty of care to their staff and with many living in rural areas or working shifts at odd hours, they are unable to rely on public transport for their commute and often have to arrive or leave work after dark.

"Wider consideration and a possible review of staff charges would certainly be welcomed.”

Currently, people pay £1.90 to park in East Lancashire hospitals for up to three hours, although parking is free for blue badge holders.

Parking had been free for patients, staff and visitors at hospitals in Pendle, Clitheroe and Accrington, but new charges introduced in July mean fees are now the same as hospitals in Blackburn and Burnley.

Full-time staff at hospitals pay £13.80 per month, while it is £6.90 a month for part-time staff who work 20 hours and below.

But hospital chiefs said parking fees in Royal Blackburn and Burnley General teaching hospitals were among the 'lowest hospital car parking fees in the country'.

James Maguire, divisional general manager for estates and facilities at ELHT, said: "Parking charges at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and Burnley General Teaching Hospital have remained the same for a number of years and our standard charge of £1.90 for up to three hours is amongst the lowest hospital car parking fees in the country.

"The extra income in recent years is a direct result of higher demand for car parking spaces with more staff, patients and visitors now visiting our hospitals and using the parking facilities.

"In light of the current financial climate and the pressures on the NHS to do more with less money, any extra income from car parking charges is reinvested to deliver safe, personal and effective services for our patients.

"It is important to point out that we offer concessions and reimbursements for patients and visitors who have to attend hospital on a regular basis, for example people having chemotherapy."

The figures come after plans for a new 517-space car park at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital were approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council earlier this year.

The car park at the hospital will be built as part of a drive to improve facilities for patients, visitors and staff, and reduce traffic congestion on surrounding roads.