Wales introduces free hospital parking

Monday, 3 March 2008 12:00 AM

There are no plans to introduce free hospital parking for patients in England, the government has said.

The Department of Health said it was not planning to mimic the Welsh policy but added "all government policies are always under review".

The Welsh assembly government announced today that all staff and patients will be able to park for free at Welsh hospitals by 2011.

Car parks operated directly by trusts will be free to use from April 1st while private companies will be told to reduce their costs until contracts expire.

The British Medical Association (BMA) recently condemned hospital parking charges as a "tax on the sick" and patients' groups have welcomed their abolition.

But concerns have been raised about the revenue implications, with parking charges raising £5.4 million for NHS trusts in Wales last year. The Welsh NHS Confederation said their loss would "inevitably" increase pressure on trusts.

For
" target="_blank">this story in depth, visit inthenews.co.uk , also part of the Adfero news network.

Special event coverage

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

Voice: Feeling stressed? Understand yourself? Now, move forward Conference

Application forms are now available for an exciting conference in Manchester. The fun-packed day will give you practical solutions and advice on managing stress and time to help you achieve a work/life balance.

BHA: The Marriage Debate - ‘This house would legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales'

Two weeks before the Government’s consultation on same-sex marriage draws to a close, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association is participating in a debate hosted by Catholic Voices on the motion, ‘This House Would Legalise Same-Sex Marriage’.

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference

This one-day event is targeted at professionals operating in the information destruction industry, and aims at keeping delegates updated on recent developments in their sector, providing an opportunity to network with fellow professionals, whilst offering access to an informative exhibition and a comprehensive conference programme.

ABI: The Future of Long-term Savings & Retirement Income - Automatic Enrolment and Beyond Conference

The Future of Long-term Savings & Retirement Income - Automatic Enrolment and Beyond Conference

Take the Gold Challenge for St Dunstan's

We provide lifelong support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. You can help give more blind heroes an independent future by taking the Gold Challenge

TACT: 2013 Virgin London Marathon

Join TACT at one of the greatest sporting events on the planet and help give a child in care a future to smile about.

Newsletter sign up

By signing-up you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

Unsubscribe