THE NHS is in crisis. Hospitals are facing a financial meltdown and management have to make money wherever they can.

But must they do it by hitting the very people they are supposed to be treating?

Figures out today show hospitals making record amounts by charging for car parking.

Patients, relatives and friends have stumped up more than £120m in the past 12 months – a five per cent increase on the year before.

Obviously it is important that patients and visitors park sensibly, but these charges are just another unwanted burden on the sick.

Hospital parking has become just another stealth tax.

A visit to hospital is stressful enough as it is, without the added burden of fishing around for spare change and the constant clock-watching to be sure not to overstay one’s welcome.

Serious long-term illnesses, like cancer or heart disease, can have a huge impact on someone’s ability to earn money and manage their finances. Yet many have no alternative but to feed the parking meters at their local hospital week in, week out when they attend clinics for on-going treatment.

Draconian parking charges are also a burden on low-paid staff working shifts who cannot use public transport.

Patients and families should not have to deal with the added headache of unfair parking charges.

The Government has issued guidance on charging, including free or reduced charges for frequent outpatient visitors, the disabled, people visiting long-stay patients, carers and some staff.

But parking policies are still set by individual NHS trusts. Some appear to be ignoring the guidelines and others have handed their car parking operation over to private contractors.

It’s time the Government made sure its principles are enshrined in law.