HOSPITAL car parking charges will be enforced across Glasgow from April, despite a storm of protest from health campaigners and politicians.

Visitors and staff will be charged from £1 and £12 depending on the length of stay to park at five hospital sites, it was confirmed today.

The charges will first be introduced at the Western Infirmary, Gartnavel General, the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the Queen Mother's Hospital at Yorkhill, and the Victoria Infirmary, as well as the health board's headquarters at Charing Cross.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde says the charges have been designed to ensure the vast majority of patients and visitors will pay no more than £1 per visit.

Campaigners today blasted the move amid fears the relatives of gravely-ill patients will be hardest hit.

Margaret Hinds, chairwoman of the Health Service Forum South East, said: "This is an utterly disgraceful decision. Public transport to the hospitals is absolutely appalling.

"An ordinary person on a low wage will struggle to find the money for this.

"If you are visiting a loved one, you should be able to give them your full attention, and not have to constantly watch the clock."

The charging levels will be the same in all NHS-operated car parks - except the multi-storey city centre car park at Glasgow Royal Infirmary run by a private company.

Sandra White MSP said: "People already pay for the NHS services, and parking charges will penalise the poorest people in society."

Anniesland MSP Bill Butler, who has Gartnavel in his constituency, said: "Charging people for visiting hospital is part of a worrying trend.

"When people are visiting relatives or friends they should not be charged for what is an absolutely necessary journey."

Tory MSP Bill Aitken added: "This is unacceptable. There are occasions when visitors have to be by a bedside 24/7. How much would this cost a family at a difficult time?"

But the health board insists the scheme will deliver vastly-improved disabled access, safer parking areas and prevent commuters from parking all day for free.

Alex McIntyre, director of facilities for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "Parking charges are being introduced in response to growing and often severe congestion in our hospital car parks, as well as planning and other obligations.

"In part this congestion is caused by shoppers, commuters and others using our hospitals to park for long periods in the day for free."

Special concessions will be made for parents and guardians of children undergoing extended treatment.

Disabled drivers will park free and people on low incomes will be able to reclaim the cost of parking.