The Barrow MP has called for issues over parking at Furness General to not impact of the care of patients.

This comes after University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust revealed they are considering installing cameras on the car parks in December to tackle misuse and fine those who are found to be abusing the system.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “I do understand the argument that if our cash-strapped local trust subsidises hospitals car parks without extra funds from the government, it inevitably risks diverting funds from patient care.

“However, the trust and council should be considering how to make it easier to access the site via public transport before any change to parking rules.

“The prospect of cameras will also be worrying to long term patients and their families who should be protected from any rises associated with tougher enforcement.”

Union bosses have voiced their opposition to the plans.

Gail Bundy, regional officer for Unite the union said: "There has been no significant effort to increase the spaces available at the hospital.

"A lot of staff pay for parking permits but have no guarantee of getting space in the staff carpark.

"We've seen elsewhere people are getting fined just for dropping patients off.

Chief operating officer Foluke Ajayi said the trust ‘does not have the resources to undertake major capital building projects to alleviate parking difficulties’ but insisted no final decision had been made.