The hospital that has begun clamping its own ambulances

Managers say the vehicles have been parking for too long in ambulance bays.

The bosses at King's College Hospital in South-East London insist they have to ensure a free flow of traffic on the site.

The NHS ambulances, for non emergency use, are being clamped at King's College Hospital is London

There have been several incidents of ambulances being fitted with clamps in recent months.

On one occasion a man was forced to take his sick neighbour to the respected teaching hospital in his own car after being told there were no services available. He arrived to see 'a row of clamped ambulances'.

John Garvin, of East Dulwich, South London, said: 'I just couldn't believe it. My neighbour was in massive distress and we had to walk past this row of ambulances.

'These are ambulances clamped by people who must work for the hospital. It is absolutely absurd.'

The NHS trust has a contract with the private firm Caring For You and uses around 60 ambulances to transport patients to and from the hospital. They are not used for emergencies.

A spokesman for the King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said Caring For You had been issued with parking guidelines.

'Unfortunately, some drivers have been leaving vehicles in drop-off bays for longer than the permitted time,' added the spokesman. The ambulances are charged a £50 release fee.

Caring For You said it would be inappropriate to comment.