The chief executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has responded to MP Yasmin Qureshi's letter expressing concern over the hospital's new parking system.

Hospital parking charges increased this week and Automated Number Plate Recognition technology went live.

Ms Qureshi called for a delay in the new system and said that the charges were 'excessive'.

Chief Executive Fiona Noden said: "It has been a number of years since we last increased our car parking charges.

"There are no changes to charges for up to four hours; concessions for blue badge holders, those attending the Churchill Unit (oncology) or the Neonatal Unit remain fully in place.

"Whilst some charges have increased, we have introduced free parking for the first 30 minutes, and some charges have not changed.

"Our new arrangement will provide us new and reliable payment kiosks that can now take notes, give change, be contactless and use chip and pin.

"It will also ensure that the hospital car parks are used responsibly and fairly, identifying those who park without paying the correct fee or those who park inconsiderately.

"As we are now carrying out many of our out-patient consultations remotely or at community settings, visiting remains restricted and we are actively discouraging people from attending the Emergency Department for anything other than urgent care, we have had a significant decrease in the use of our car parks at the current time. We will be taking a sensitive approach during the implementation."