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Debate over hospital parking charges for carers Hospital parking bill opposed by Conservative MPs
(about 7 hours later)
A bill to exempt carers from paying hospital car parking charges will be debated in the House of Commons later. Backbench Conservative MPs have made lengthy speeches in an attempt to kill a bill aimed at exempting carers from hospital parking charges.
Philip Davies, who spoke for 90 minutes, said Labour MP Julie Cooper's bill was "unnecessary" as hospitals could make their own decisions locally.
His colleague, David Nuttall, warned it could divert money away from frontline NHS services.
Their interventions mean the bill risks running out of Parliamentary time.
Labour complained about "repetition" during Mr Davies' speech, in which he questioned how Ms Cooper's scheme would work, suggesting exempting carers would mean other people having to pay more to park.
The bill needs to reach a vote by 14:30 GMT in order to stand a chance of becoming law.
'Unfair burden'
The level of charges varies between hospital NHS trusts, but the average cost in England is £39 per week and in London it can be about £130 per week.The level of charges varies between hospital NHS trusts, but the average cost in England is £39 per week and in London it can be about £130 per week.
Labour MP Julie Cooper, who introduced the bill, says the charges are an "unfair burden" on carers. Introducing her bill, Ms Cooper told MPs hospital parking charges placed an "unfair financial burden" on carers, and represented "one extra penalty".
She says she has cross-party support, but the government has not yet said whether it will back it. She said she had cared for her own mother when she was in hospital.
The exemption would apply to NHS hospitals, walk-in centres, GP practices and private hospitals. "Each night when I left tired and distressed I queued up to pay for my parking," she said.
'Emotional impact' "At that time it was costing me £40 a week. On one of those days driving out of the car park, it occurred to me that I was lucky because I could afford to pay this charge and I went on to reflect on the matter and I thought what about those people who can't afford to pay."
The bill has reached its second reading in Parliament. Her bill would place a duty on health authorities to exempt carers who are in receipt of, or have an underlying entitlement for, Carer's Allowance and those who have been certified by a clinician as providing, or intending to provide, substantial care on a regular basis.
"Carers have told us that the emotional and financial impact of hospital parking charges seriously undermines their ability to continue caring well for their loved ones and themselves," Ms Cooper said.
"This could be catastrophic for the NHS which, without carers, wouldn't survive.
"The cost of providing carers with free hospital parking in England is negligible when compared with these potential consequences."
The bill would place a duty on health authorities to exempt carers who are in receipt of, or have an underlying entitlement for, Carer's Allowance and those who have been certified by a clinician as providing, or intending to provide, substantial care on a regular basis.
Hospital parking policies are set by individual NHS trusts in England.Hospital parking policies are set by individual NHS trusts in England.
Guidance produced
Department of Health guidelines on hospital car parking charges suggest concessions should be available for carers with relatives who are gravely ill or who have an extended stay in hospital.Department of Health guidelines on hospital car parking charges suggest concessions should be available for carers with relatives who are gravely ill or who have an extended stay in hospital.
They also say concessions should be offered to people with disabilities and NHS staff whose shift patterns meant they could not use public transport.They also say concessions should be offered to people with disabilities and NHS staff whose shift patterns meant they could not use public transport.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the government had already produced guidance to hospitals on who should be exempted from parking charges but said it was for trusts to decide what is appropriate in local areas.
Hospital parking charges in Scotland and Wales were abolished in 2008. They have also been axed in most hospitals in Northern Ireland and for those that remain, patients with many long-term conditions are exempt.Hospital parking charges in Scotland and Wales were abolished in 2008. They have also been axed in most hospitals in Northern Ireland and for those that remain, patients with many long-term conditions are exempt.
Three car parks in Scotland, operated under Private Finance Initiative contracts, still have charges and four hospitals in Wales continue to charge, but have been told to abolish these once contracts with private parking firms end.Three car parks in Scotland, operated under Private Finance Initiative contracts, still have charges and four hospitals in Wales continue to charge, but have been told to abolish these once contracts with private parking firms end.
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