CANCER patients have hit out at parking charges set to be introduced at an NHS hospital for those undergoing treatment.

From Sunday, blanket free parking will be scrapped at Basingstoke hospital for patients receiving cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.

No fee will be charged for zero to 30 minutes parking, but for 30 minutes to an hour, £1.50 will be charged and £3 is the fee for one hour to 24 hours.

Charges will be capped at £15 for a week, however, regardless of the number of visits.

Louise Baines, from Tadley, has been receiving treatment for breast cancer at the hospital since April after being diagnosed in March.

She visits the hospital at least three times a week for chemotherapy, blood tests and a review.

The 39-year-old said: "It is quite frustrating. Cancer is financially crippling without this additional burden as many people diagnosed have to give up work. It is not hundreds of people so I can't see how they could not just suck it up and not charge us.

"I know from experience that, due to the strain on the NHS, an hour appointment often stretches out for longer so the charge goes up."

Paula Wibrew, from Basingstoke, has also hit out at the charges.

Her husband Chris, 69, who used to run the Modern Music store, is receiving intensive treatment for lymphoma of the spine and brain at Basingstoke hospital.

Paula said: "It has come so quickly. There has not been a lot of information gone out for people even to be aware of it.

"We understand that the NHS have huge financial difficulties, but feel that when people are at their lowest ebb, this change is particularity pernicious."

Fees, at the same reduced rate, are also set to be introduced from July 1 for carers staying overnight with children who are inpatients, and relatives or carers of patients who are receiving end of life care.

A Hampshire Hospitals spokesperson said: "Most NHS Trusts make parking charges for concessionary users at reduced rates, but unlike many others, our car parks are not managed by an external contractor so the money goes straight back into the NHS and is used to support patient care.

"The reduced charges also apply to patients or visitors attending every day after one week; outpatients who have been attending for more than two weeks and continue to attend at least twice a week with the same illness or condition; visitors to patients being cared for in the Intensive Care Unit or the neonatal unit; visitors to inpatients whose stay in hospital has been more than one week, if they are visiting every day; visitors to inpatients whose stay in hospital has been more than two weeks, if they are visiting at least twice per week.

"We consulted with the patient experience group when considering this change and capped the maximum charge for a 24 hour stay at £3 and the maximum charge in a week to £15, regardless of how many visits are made in that time. For patients/visitors who receive income support or other similar benefits transport can be reclaimed as part of the government healthcare travel scheme."