I REFER to the letter from Elizabeth Farrell (Readers’ Times, January 24), who said it was despicable to levy parking fees at Hereford County Hospital.

I recently discovered for myself the excessive nature of these charges.

On Sunday I was called to my aunt’s home by her carer who reported that my aunt, who has dementia, had fallen and injured herself. When I arrived at her home she was being loaded into an ambulance and I followed it to the hospital.

I was needed to assist the medics with information and the history of my aunt’s condition and was there for some four hours or so. On leaving I was charged £7, and later returned to further assist the doctor and this time was charged £5.

As I paid for my ticket I remarked to a woman beside me that it was expensive and she said that the day before she was charged £12 and that day was again charged £12 for her stay.

Her further comment was that she might accept the excessive charges easier if it benefited the hospital but was aware that it was the fat cats, – her words – that it benefited.

These charges are excessive by any standard and are a cynical exploitation of people at a vulnerable time. Something should be done to curb this exploitation.

COUN CHARLES NICHOLLS, Middle Way, Fayre Oaks Home Park, Hereford.