Dartford MP and practising GP, Dr Howard Stoate, has welcomed today’s announcement by Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, of an end to car parking charges for hospital in-patients.

Mr Burnham has pledged to phase out car parking charges for in-patients over the course of the next three years. Each patient, the minister said, will be given a permit for their length of their stay which family and friends can use.

Dr Stoate, who is a member of the House of Commons Health Select Committee which published a report on NHS charges back in 2006 that called for a radical rethink of hospital car parking charges, said;

“Hospital car parking charges are deeply unpopular with patients and their families and I’m very glad that the Minister has finally agreed to take action. People who have to come to hospital every day to see a close relative really shouldn’t have to pay for the privilege of parking their car there. It’s an extra expense that they could well do without at what is often a very difficult time in their lives. I’m sure this decision will be warmly welcomed by patients and patient organisations.”

According to Mr Burnham the move will be funded through “year on year savings on back office costs”. Eligible patients will receive parking vouchers through the post along with the letter telling them the date of their operation or treatment. Anyone visiting the patient during their stay will be able to use the voucher.

Notes

The 2006 Health Select Committee report on NHS charges expressed concern about the growing cost of attending hospital. It recommended that hospital trusts should “provide reduced rates for patients and their visitors who attend hospital regularly and free parking for those who must attend on a daily basis.”