Parking charges at a number of hospitals have gone up, while a new three hour rate has been introduced.

Those parking at Northwick Park, Ealing and Central Middlesex hospitals will now have to pay slightly more to “meet the rising cost of maintenance and upkeep of parking facilities”.

The three hour rate, which was put in place following customer feedback, will cost £5.50.

A stay of up to one hour will cost £2.70, up to two hours £5.10, up to five hours £6.50, up to eight hours £9.80, and more than eight hours £12.50.

Nigel Myhill, director of estates and facilities at London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, explained that, while the increases are unlikely to sit well with the public, they are ultimately unavoidable.

He said: “We understand that parking charges are unpopular, but it would be wrong to use money allocated for patient care to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of parking facilities.

“The tariffs are reviewed in line with those of neighbouring hospitals and any surplus made from parking charges goes back into patient care.”

Some concessionary schemes have not been affected by the tariff increase, including the six hour free parking for blue badge holders and the hourly discounts offered on five and seven day passes.

Patients receiving dialysis and cancer patients undergoing treatment, surgery and follow-up will still be charged £1 for up to 24 hours.

There is a 25 per cent discount for those visiting the RRU, while the £5 charge for frequent outpatient attendees, visitors to relatives who are gravely ill and those with an extended stay at the hospital will remain in place.