NEW parking charges have been introduced at hospitals across Wirral.

The changes affect both the Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospital sites.

A Wirral University Teaching Hospital spokesperson said the charging system was moving from a fixed rate model to a "variable tiered approach".

Previously visitors would pay £3.20 for up to 3.5 hours with a charge of £10.00 for anything over that duration. 

Under the new charges visitors will be charged £3.20 for parking for between 30 minutes and two hours, £4.50 for between two hours and four hours, £5.50 for between fours and six hours, £7.00 for between six hours to 12 hours and £10.00 for up to 24 hours.

The spokesperson said: “As hospital visits and patient appointments are increasing after the COVID-19 pandemic, The Trust has made more patient and visitor car parking spaces available.

"It has also reduced charges and introduced a free 30-minute initial free parking period for patients and visitors at its Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospital sites. The hospitals are also very well served by buses to a range of local destinations.

“Patient and visitor charging has now moved from a fixed rate of £3.20 for up to 3.5 hours and £10.00 over 3.5 hours, to a variable tiered approach, operating in a similar way to other Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside.

"This means car park charges will be lower for patients and visitors, for longer stays of between four and 12 hours. There are no changes to the exemptions from charges, such as free parking for disabled and frequent visitors.”

Wirral Hospitals car parking charges remain free for disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders, parents of sick children staying overnight and staff working night shifts.