The hospital car park that charges patients more than football fans
A leading NHS hospital has provoked anger by offering discounted parking to football supporters - while charging patients and their families full price.
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Chelsea and Westminster Hospital allows Chelsea fans attending home games at nearby Stamford Bridge to pay £10 for four hours.
However, those receiving treatment in accident and emergency and other departments are forced to pay £12.50 to park for the same period.
A spokesman for The Patients Association attacked the cut-price offer for fans, saying: "The hospital is taking advantage of people when they are at their most vulnerable.
"If people can afford to go to a Chelsea football game, they can probably afford to pay.
"Those going to hospital should pay less to park than those going to football matches."
Under the scheme fans can also park for the £10 flat fee after 5pm for midweek games.
The scheme is heavily promoted and signposted in the hospital car park.
Chelsea tickets are among the most expensive, with some fans spending up to £4,000 a season.
A spokesman for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital said: "We actively promote the car park to Chelsea fans attending games because they generate extra income that can be reinvested in front-line patient care.
"Some visitors are exempt from all parking charges, including parents of children who are being cared for in hospital, bereaved relatives, relatives of patients being treated in intensive care and partners of women in labour."
Figures out last week revealed that UK hospital visitors spent £95million in 2006 on parking.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has refused to scrap or cap the charges.
To take advantage of the discount rate, Chelsea fans must take the parking ticket they get when they enter the car park to the hospital reception and buy a four-hour pass for £10.
In order to purchase the pass they must have a valid ticket for that day's match.
The match-day rate operates between noon and 5pm at weekends and after 5pm on weekdays.
Normal hospital users collect a ticket from the entry barrier and pay at a machine when they leave.
