Hospital parking charges are set to rise at Barnsley Hospital to help fund operating costs, health bosses have said.

From October 14th, the cost of parking at Barnsley Hospital for up to one hour will rise from £1.30 to £1.50, and a weekly pass will increase from £10 to £11.50.

A statement from The Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation says that parking charges have only been raised twice in the last 16 years, making the change necessary to cover maintenance costs.

The revenue generated from the new parking fees will be reinvested into the upkeep of the car parks and other essential areas of the hospital to enhance the patient experience.

Hospital representatives acknowledged that the timing of the increase comes during a period of ‘financial difficulty’ for many people, but emphasised that the new rates are ‘still comparable’ with other local Trusts.

Despite the changes, free parking will remain available for blue badge holders, frequent outpatients managing long-term conditions, parents of sick children staying overnight, and patients receiving certain benefits.

Additionally, the hospital will continue to provide free 15-minute drop-off bays for those needing to pick up or drop off passengers.

The new tariff will see increases across various parking durations, with the cost for 1-2 hours rising from £2.80 to £3.20, and up to 24 hours increasing from £6.90 to £8.00.

One X user commented that it was ‘disappointing to see Barnsley hospital charging more when the cost is already high’. 

The Trust assures that the adjustments aim to ensure that the car parks and hospital facilities remain well-maintained for the benefit of all visitors.

This increase aims to balance the need for additional revenue while continuing to offer essential support for those who need it most.