Fabiani Welcomes End to Hospital Car Parking Charges
Strathaven based SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, has welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to scrap hospital car parking charges.
From 31st December 2008 all hospital car parks operated by the NHS will be free of charge and follows an earlier introduction of a maximum £3 per day charge that has been in place since January 2008.
Speaking after the announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon, Ms Fabiani said:
“This is a very welcome decision by the Scottish Government and will be welcomed by patients, visitors and staff alike who have no option but to attend hospital.
“Charging for hospital visits has always felt like punishing the sick and those that care for them and has always been hugely unpopular.
“It is disappointing that it has not been possible to extend free parking to car parks operated by private contractors under PFI arrangements but fortunately here in East Kilbride at Hairmyres Hospital the PFI contractor has never introduced parking charges, which is to their credit and I hope this remains the case.
“The abolition of hospital car parking and prescription charges in Scotland shows the SNP’s commitment to an NHS that is free and comes at a time when financial pressures on families are increasing. This Scottish Government is doing what it can to help in a tough economic period”.
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