AN "OUTRAGEOUS" increase in parking charges has come into effect at Wexham Park Hospital with visitors now paying double to park their cars.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has increased the cost of parking for two hours at the Slough hospital by 100 per cent from £1.50 to £3.

The first 20 minutes of parking remains free, but one visitor to the hospital was unaware of the increase as he parked his car on Sunday.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: "Car parking charges have gone up by 100 per cent - I had to pay £3 for just a 30 minute visit.

"The first 20 minutes has always been free, but by the time you have parked and gone to the right ward, that is the 20 minutes gone.

"We are paying £3 instead of £1.50 which it was last week - it is outrageous. I do not think anyone was aware."

Patient watchdog group Healthwatch Slough confirmed that it was not made aware of the increase to the charges, but that it had not yet received any complaints from visitors or patients.

It will now cost £5 to park for two to three hours, £5.50 for three to four hours, £6.50 for four to five hours and £8 for over five hours.

The hospital trust say visitors were warned as notices were placed on pay machines before the changes came into effect on Friday last week.

A spokesman for Frimley Health said: "The charges introduced last week bring parking rates at Wexham Park Hospital into line with those at our other main hospital site at Frimley Park, near Camberley, and have been displayed on our pay stations in recent weeks.

"Parking for the first 20 minutes, for short stops, drop offs and pick-ups for example, is free. After this the charge is £3 up to two hours. Other rates have increased by 50p each and a seven day pass costing £15 has recently been introduced.

The hourly rates for parking at Wexham Park remain in line with neighbouring hospital trusts."

The trust has invested around £2m into parking facilities at the hospital, added 450 spaces for visitors and staff, with a further 80 spaces due to open next week.

The spokesman added: "We have also brought car park management at Wexham Park back in house so all money raised is reinvested by the trust into improving car park services and 24-hour on-site security. Any surplus is invested directly into patient services."