Hospital car parking charges for patients and visitors could be hiked up by almost a fifth.

Bosses at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust need to save £30 million over the next year to keep its finances under control.

A report to the trust's board today says raising parking prices by 18% at Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards could generate an extra £100,000 a year.

The news has been criticised by patient groups who have accused managers of forcing them to pay more to help it balance its books.

Managers said the money would be ploughed back into services provided for patients.

People wanting to park for one to two hours will see prices rise from £3.30 to £3.90 while the charge for between four and five hours will rise from £5.50 to £6.50.

The £12 charge for anyone staying between 12 and 24 hours will increase by £2 to £14.

A trust spokesman said: “This is a challenging year for the trust financially.

“We are required to ensure our total income keeps pace with the costs of providing our services and car parking income contributes to the financial position of the trust.

“We continue to offer discounts for those who need to attend on a regular basis and a range of concessions and exemptions to accommodate users such as for those on low income, cancer patients and their relatives, blue badge holders as well as the relatives of patients who are at the end of their life.”

The trust was criticised last year when it brought in a new controversial parking scheme for staff without properly consulting them.

The rise was put on hold while a consultation was held and a compromise agreed.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust have both raised their prices in the last 12 months.

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