Menu
16/09/2010
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay.
The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
Parking remains free at the majority of hospitals in Wales, Scotland and for priority groups in Northern Ireland.
Simon Burns, Health minister commented: "Hospitals need to take responsibility for their own car parking arrangements.
"The requirement to provide concessions is clear, guidance is available, and local concerns where they exist need to be addressed. Hospitals need to make sure that they are behaving fairly."
Last year, Andy Burnham, Labour Health Secretary promised to scrap the charges, which raise approximately £110m a year. The move would benefit all regular in-patients and outpatients.
The Health minister added: "Labour cynically announced their policy with the general election in mind, without ever properly identifying the funding for it.
"Even if funding was available, the costs associated with investing this money in car parking rather than in healthcare are estimated at £200 million in lost benefits to patients. Even if funding was available, the policy is unworkable.
"It would require costly policing to ensure there was no abuse of free parking, and there would be even more of a scramble for limited parking spaces. There are better uses of public money."
Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, responded: "The government has failed cancer patients today. It's simply not good enough to pass the buck on to local hospitals and wash their hands of the impact of such a disjointed policy."
(BMcN/GK)
The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
Parking remains free at the majority of hospitals in Wales, Scotland and for priority groups in Northern Ireland.
Simon Burns, Health minister commented: "Hospitals need to take responsibility for their own car parking arrangements.
"The requirement to provide concessions is clear, guidance is available, and local concerns where they exist need to be addressed. Hospitals need to make sure that they are behaving fairly."
Last year, Andy Burnham, Labour Health Secretary promised to scrap the charges, which raise approximately £110m a year. The move would benefit all regular in-patients and outpatients.
The Health minister added: "Labour cynically announced their policy with the general election in mind, without ever properly identifying the funding for it.
"Even if funding was available, the costs associated with investing this money in car parking rather than in healthcare are estimated at £200 million in lost benefits to patients. Even if funding was available, the policy is unworkable.
"It would require costly policing to ensure there was no abuse of free parking, and there would be even more of a scramble for limited parking spaces. There are better uses of public money."
Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, responded: "The government has failed cancer patients today. It's simply not good enough to pass the buck on to local hospitals and wash their hands of the impact of such a disjointed policy."
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 March 2012
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April. While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April. While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
21 August 2009
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
05 August 2013
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
18 July 2006
NHS charges branded "a mess"
The system of National Health Service charges has been branded "a mess" by a committee of MPs. The Commons Health Select Committee called for a review of the system, which covers prescription and eye test costs, dental care, parking fees and phone costs.
NHS charges branded "a mess"
The system of National Health Service charges has been branded "a mess" by a committee of MPs. The Commons Health Select Committee called for a review of the system, which covers prescription and eye test costs, dental care, parking fees and phone costs.
27 July 2004
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
