Discounted parking is available for some patients using Shropshire’s acute hospitals – and parking is free of charge for up to 30 minutes, health chiefs have re-confirmed.
The free 30 minutes gives people picking up and dropping off patients or visitors to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) or Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford an option to do so without incurring a charge if they are onsite for less than half an hour.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs RSH and PRH, is providing the update about parking at the two hospitals as some people are not aware of the free 30 minutes or the discounts available.
Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Governance at SaTH, said: “Parking charges at SaTH are still among the lowest in the country, with people able to park for up to 30 minutes without charge, and paying only £3.50 for five hours or more.
“Patients receiving dialysis, radiotherapy or chemotherapy and people visiting hospital for issues connected with bereavement are able to park for free. Anyone needing to attend hospital regularly can buy a discounted 10-visit ticket for £8.
“The income we receive from car parking also benefits our patients. Annually, the money we receive from car parking pays for the equivalent of 40 Staff Nurses.”
The Trust is also looking at ways to improve car parking at the hospitals, and is working on a number of initiatives to support staff to travel to work in more sustainable ways.