An NHS trust’s decision to hike parking charges for patients and staff has been branded “absolutely disgusting”.

Those working for East Kent Hospitals - which runs the QEQM in Margate and William Harvey in Ashford - will face a 10% increase from July 1.

This will be the first price hike since 2014, when charges were reintroduced following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, patients and visitors will see fees hiked by 20p per hour.

In a statement on social media, East Kent Hospitals (EKH) said: “While this decision has not been taken lightly, and we understand the frustration it may cause, parking charges for our patients and visitors have not increased for seven years.”

They add that free parking arrangements remain in place for blue badge holders, parents/guardians of children admitted overnight and eligible patients who need to attend regularly.

Critics have taken to social media to slam the proposed parking hike.

Denise Bottali said: “Absolute greed and mercenary making money out of ill, vulnerable people and their families who don't choose to be ill!”

Tom Kemp also branded the move “absolutely disgusting”, while Jade Browne called for all staff to be given free parking.

Patients and visitors' pay-on-foot charges will also increase by a flat rate of 20p per hour, with prices starting at £2.50 for the first hour, with a maximum cost of £12 a day.

A weekly pass will also be priced at £16, rising by £4.

EKH added in its statement: “Parking in our pay-and-display car parks will also be brought in line with our pay-on-foot car parks, meaning parking charges are the same across our sites.”

Pay-and-display charges currently start at £2 an hour, so this is set to go up by 50p.

In a letter seen by KentOnline, it is stated that the increase is expected to raise £200,000, with £50,000 made available to improve car park security and the remainder of the funds allocated to contribute to the trust’s “financial improvement plan”.

EKH also runs the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Buckland Hospital in Dover and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone.

KentOnline previously revealed how the trust had been told it needed to cut almost £50 million to help balance its books.

Staff in band two, the NHS’s lowest salary, at around £24,000 a year, will see their peak permit price go up by £2.43 per month.

At the other end of the spectrum, those in band 8C will face an increase of £5.62 a month.

Permits will remain free for night shift and disabled workers.

Earlier this week, job cuts were announced for staff working at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, with members told that some could face redundancies to save £36.5 million.

The process started last Monday for those working in the corporate sector at its two sites. It’s believed up to 10% of its 1,500 workforce could be affected.

KentOnline has asked the county's other hospital trusts if they also plan to hike charges.