DORSET County Hospital car park raked in more than £400,000 in one year.

Figures obtained by the Echo reveal the hospital received £434,000 from fees charged for the car park in 2008/9.

Dorset County Hospital charges £1.60 for an hour’s car parking, £2.10 for two hours, £4.20 for four hours and £6.50 for more than four hours.

There are special measures in place for patients such as those undergoing dialysis treatment and chemotherapy who have to visit the hospital on a regular basis.

A hospital spokesman said: “The money raised by parking charges goes towards the upkeep of the hospital estate and buildings – which frees up more money for improving patient care.

“The hospital is very close to the town centre and the charges deter people who are not using the hospital from parking here while visiting Dorchester.

“Disabled badge holders park for free and there are other exemptions in place for patients, including those who have to attend the hospital frequently for treatment.”

The Dorset County Hospital’s total rates against other English hospitals exposed as the worst offenders in a recent Freedom of Information Request from the Liberal Democrats.

Addenbroke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry and Southampton General Hospital all collected more than £2million in the 2007/8 financial year.

Patient governor of the Dorset County Hospital’s Foundation Trust Derek Julian said he would like to see the money from parking charges spent directly on items that benefit patients, such as a new scanning machine, and people should be able to see clearly where the funds are going.

He said: “There is a lot of resentment out there. I think it would be better if the car park charges were ring-fenced so the public knows that any money will be for patients benefit.”

A Department for Health spokesman said: “It costs hospitals money to administer car parks and if they don’t charge they have less money for patients.

“However, they are supposed to have concessions in place for people who have to use hospital car parks regularly and arrangements for staff.”

Parking charges have been abolished in all but three hospitals in Scotland and are being phased out in Wales.