ROYAL Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals collected more than £1.7m last year in car parking fees.

The revenue from the fees in 2016/17 - £1,749,000 - was an increase of £445,000 on the previous 12-month period.

This was the second largest increase year-on-year across the 111 NHS Trusts that responded to the Freedom of Information request, excluding two trusts which had a change of contract with private firms.

Over the last two years, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals (RBCH) NHS Foundation Trust collected a total of £3,053,000 in car parking charges. In addition, the trust collected £4,185 in parking fines in 2016/17 and £10,732 in 2015/16.

Visitors to RBCH have to pay £1.20 for up to one hour of parking, £2 for up to two hours, with a £1 increase for every additional hour up to six hours for £5.40 and more than six hours set at £7.

There is also a £1.50 overnight rate from 6pm to 7am.

A spokesperson for RBCH Trust said: “Our public parking charges are consistent with many other Trusts and less than most, the last change in charges was in July 2015 when we installed a new pay on foot system, that made charging fairer, as you only pay for the time you are here.

“We offer a range of concessions and these are advertised in our car parks, these concessions mean that no one should have to pay more than £20 a week to park in the public car parks, several categories of patients and visitors enjoy free parking.

“Net income from car parking goes directly into patient care.”

Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust collected £1,147,542 in car parking charges in 2016/17, a marginal fall from £1,162,653 of revenue in 2015/16.

A spokesperson for Poole Hospital said: “Parking charges for patients and visitors are in line with those set by the local council, with money raised contributing to the cost of operating and maintaining the car park, including staffing and security.

“Any additional revenue is reinvested to support patient care.

“Patients undergoing lengthy treatment, and their visitors, can park at a reduced fixed rate. Discounts are also available to other groups, including parents of children requiring an overnight stay. Parking is free for disability permit holders.

“The charges we make are in line with national guidance set out by the Department of Health.”

Poole Hospital charges £1.80 for up to two hours parking, £2.70 for three hours, £3.60 for four hours, £5.50 for six hours and £9 for up to 24 hours. Seven-day permits are also available.