Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today welcomed the news the Scottish Government are to abolish NHS hospital car parking charges from 31 December 2008.Mr. McMillan said;
"The abolition of car parking charges is excellent news and shows the SNP’s commitment to an NHS that is free. I have campaigned on this issue as I saw it as a tax on the sick so am delighted the injustice of that has been reversed.
"With parking and prescription charges now on the way out this is a good day for all those who use the NHS and who work in the NHS.
"This also means the proposed charges at the IRH, RAH and VoL will now not come in to force following this review of NHS Boards’ car park charging policy.
"The abolition of charges will also help to reduce the financial burden on patients, staff and visitors to hospitals at a time when pressure on family budgets is increasing, another example of the Scottish Government doing what it can to help in tough economic times".
1. The 14 hospitals that will be affected by today's abolition are:
NHS Grampian - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde - Gartnavel General Hospital and Gartnavel Royal Hospital (one car park for both), Southern General Hospital, Stobhill Hospital, Victoria Infirmary, Western Infirmary and Yorkhill Hospital
NHS Highland - Raigmore Hospital, Inverness
NHS Lothian - Lauriston Building, Royal Hospital for Sick Children St John's Hospital and Western General Hospital.
NHS Tayside - Perth Royal Infirmary
2. The three PFI-built hospital car parks where charges will still apply after 31 December 2008 will be at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.
PFI car parks are not being included because the long term nature of those contractual agreements preclude termination without discussion and negotiation by NHS Boards with their PFI providers.
3. In January this year, Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon capped hospital car parking charges at £3 per day at NHS operated car parks.
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