This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-11274851
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Labour's free NHS parking plan may be cut | Labour's free NHS parking plan may be cut |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The coalition government has distanced itself from a pledge made by the previous Labour government to abolish hospital car park charges in England. | The coalition government has distanced itself from a pledge made by the previous Labour government to abolish hospital car park charges in England. |
In 2009 Labour Health Secretary Andy Burnham promised to scrap the fees, which raise about £110m a year. | |
But the Department of Health has now said the idea to scrap car parking charges was not properly funded. | But the Department of Health has now said the idea to scrap car parking charges was not properly funded. |
A Department of Health source said it was not a U-turn, because the current government had never committed itself. | A Department of Health source said it was not a U-turn, because the current government had never committed itself. |
Health minister Simon Burns said: "For a long time we have been unconvinced that Labour's car parking idea was properly funded and practical. | |
"We will publish a response soon and all decisions will be subject to the spending review." | "We will publish a response soon and all decisions will be subject to the spending review." |
Mr Burns continued: "Andy Burnham himself was forced to retreat from his initial commitment on hospital car parking and even some members of his own party didn't support his proposal. | Mr Burns continued: "Andy Burnham himself was forced to retreat from his initial commitment on hospital car parking and even some members of his own party didn't support his proposal. |
"That said, it is clear that where parking charges are preventing friends and family from visiting, then hospital trusts have a responsibility to respond." | "That said, it is clear that where parking charges are preventing friends and family from visiting, then hospital trusts have a responsibility to respond." |
'Tax on illness' | 'Tax on illness' |
Mr Burnham, now shadow health secretary, said: "Patients and their families will feel let down by this. | Mr Burnham, now shadow health secretary, said: "Patients and their families will feel let down by this. |
"Car parking charges make it harder for families to visit their loved ones in hospital, and Labour's funded plan to phase them out would have made a real difference. | "Car parking charges make it harder for families to visit their loved ones in hospital, and Labour's funded plan to phase them out would have made a real difference. |
"So much for the Tories' promise not to make cuts in the NHS." | "So much for the Tories' promise not to make cuts in the NHS." |
Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said hospital parking charges were an "unjust tax on illness". | Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said hospital parking charges were an "unjust tax on illness". |
'Huge burden' | 'Huge burden' |
She said: "Nine out of 10 people believe that cancer patients should get free parking at hospital. | She said: "Nine out of 10 people believe that cancer patients should get free parking at hospital. |
"The government should listen and scrap hospital car parking charges for cancer patients in England." | "The government should listen and scrap hospital car parking charges for cancer patients in England." |
She added: "Parking charges are a huge burden for cancer patients who typically make 53 trips to hospital during treatment." | She added: "Parking charges are a huge burden for cancer patients who typically make 53 trips to hospital during treatment." |
Parking is already free at most hospitals in Scotland and Wales and for certain priority groups of patients in Northern Ireland. | Parking is already free at most hospitals in Scotland and Wales and for certain priority groups of patients in Northern Ireland. |
The plan had been to phase out charges at hospitals in England over three years. | The plan had been to phase out charges at hospitals in England over three years. |
The average charge per hour for hospital car parks in England in 2008/9 was £1.09. | The average charge per hour for hospital car parks in England in 2008/9 was £1.09. |