NHS trusts earn over £73.6 million from hospital parking charges 

Last updated: 24 June 2025

£73.6 million in parking charges was collected by eight of the biggest NHS trusts in England during the last five years. 

This works out at £2.4 million in parking revenue per trust each year, according to our latest research. 

In contrast, Wales introduced free hospital parking for staff and visitors back in 2008, while Scotland followed suit in 2009. Northern Ireland will also scrap hospital parking charges by 2026. 

Our motoring editor, Sam Sheehan, says: “These figures show just how much hospital parking can cost staff and patients, and how parking policies differ across the UK. 

“While parking charges have been scrapped in other parts of the UK to ease the pressure on NHS employees and visitors, trusts in England continue to bring in millions through car park fees.” 

Hospitals making the most from car parks 

Our data, gathered from a Freedom of Information request, shows that parking charges generated an average of £2.4 million a year for eight different NHS trusts across England. 

Total revenue generated from parking between 2021 and 2025 (to date):  

1. £14.3 million (£3.5 million-a-year average) – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust 

2.  £12.4 million (£3.1 million-a-year average) – University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust 

3. £12.1 million (£3 million-a-year) – Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 

4. £10.2 million (£3.4 million-a-year) – Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (2022–2025 only) 

5. £9.6 million (£2.4 million-a-year) – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 

Parking costs increase at English hospitals 

According to data released last year, hospital parking charges are continuing to rise, with 37 NHS trusts upping parking costs between 2022 and 2024. 

"Pushing up hospital parking costs adds financial strain at a time when many are feeling the increased cost of living," says Sheehan. "And it can be especially frustrating for patients and staff in England when hospital parking is free in Scotland, and Wales - and will soon be free in Northern Ireland too. 

"Hospital bosses say they can't maintain car parks without charging, and the NHS is already under a lot of pressure at the moment. So, it remains to be seen whether a solution that works for everyone is possible in England." 

A call for fairer hospital parking 

The study’s findings highlight the financial burden placed on both patients and NHS staff in England compared to elsewhere in the UK. 

With millions of pounds being generated annually from hospital parking charges, there's a clear opportunity for England's NHS trusts to follow the lead of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in creating a fairer system that doesn't penalise those accessing essential healthcare services. 

Whether you drive your used Audi to work at a hospital, or you need to park up and visit a relative, it's safe to say we'd all welcome fairer hospital parking prices.