BOLTON’S NHS trust made more than £1.5 million from car parking charges in the past year, according to new figures.

The total is made up of parking income from patients, visitors, and staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital, plus income from fines.

The trust’s parking income was £1,501,230 in 2016/17, which marks a significant increase from £1.39m in 2015/16 and £1.25m in 2013/14.

A trust spokesman said: “While we do charge for parking at Royal Bolton Hospital, we do also make exceptions. We offer free parking for cancer patients visiting the Churchill Unit, free parking for disabled blue badge holders, and 30 minutes free parking for visitors in short stay car parks.

“We also provide a reduced price pass for frequent visitors to the hospital.

“All revenue from parking charges is utilised for the benefit of the Trust, including providing maintenance and staffing of car parks.”

NHS hospitals made a record £174 million in the last year from charging patients, visitors and staff for car parking, an investigation has found.

Hospitals across England took £174 million in parking charges in 2016/17, up 6 per cent on the year before.

While NHS trusts in England continue to charge patients, visitors and staff for parking, hospital parking in Scotland and Wales remains largely free.

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said the current state of NHS finances meant it was sometimes hard to blame hospitals for trying to find money.

But she said that did not make the current situation acceptable.

She added: "For patients, parking charges amount to an extra charge for being ill.

"The increase in the number of trusts who are charging for disabled parking is particularly concerning.

"Patients who require disabled parking may have little choice but to access their care by car, and may need to do so often. Targeting them in this way feels rather cynical.

"The increase in parking fines is also worrying.

"Hospital appointments are often delayed or last longer than expected, so even if you pay for parking you could end up being fined if your ticket runs out."