Hospitals in Bradford rake in £1 million a year from parking charges, it has been revealed.

But it was not a case of ripping off patients, the chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust David Jackson told the first meeting of the new Patient and Public Involvement Forum.

It cost £750,000 to provide the parking and the £250,000 leftover was surplus rather than profit, and was ploughed back into patient care, he said.

The figures were revealed in the wake of a huge outcry at price increases brought in earlier this year.

Mr Jackson admitted there were plans to bring in some concession charges of £1 day - down from £5 a day - for those hardest hit.

He said the Trust was under financial pressures and had to look carefully at its income but added: "The Trust does not make profits. Everything we earn is ploughed back."

The new rates at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's caused a storm when they were first revealed. Parking now costs £2 for two hours, £3 for four hours or £5 per day. Clamping removal is £50.

Gloria De Clair, vice-chairman of the meeting, held at the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham, said she had heard cases of patients missing out on treatment because they were running out to check their vehicle had not been clamped when their turn was called.

Mr Jackson said the prices were in line with charges elsewhere and were at the lower end.

He denied the new charges made a profit at the patients' expense or included an element of "catching up". He said only Airedale's prices were cheaper than Bradford's.

The £250,000 surplus was used to pay for more expensive treatment for patients.

He gave as an extreme example the £17,000 cost of an implantable defibrillator operation, of which the Trust could only reclaim £4,000.

Mr Jackson said the Trust would look at installing change machines in the car parks, improving public transport and providing bicycle shelters.

Keith Mitchell, of North Bradford Primary Care Trust, said the lack of spaces, not just the price, sent his blood pressure up as he approached BRI.

He told Mr Jackson: "You need more, so why don't you apply for planning permission?"

Mr Jackson said all available land was used so planning permission would be difficult.

He claimed two hours was usually a long enough stay. But Mrs De Clair said: "I do not think two hours is long enough and consultants dance to their own tunes."

The PPI Forums - of which there are eight in the Bradford district - replaced the former Community Health Councils and are aimed at involving the public more closely with NHS provision.