PARKING CHARGES AT HOSPITALS

That this House recognises the additional financial strain put on patients and their friends and relatives by increased parking charges at hospitals in the North West of England including Southport Hospital and Leighton Hospital near Crewe and Nantwich amongst others; notes that regular patients, and the friends and families of inpatients, face particular hardship in the face of the 50 per cent. increases brought in; notes that the Welsh Assembly Government has cut all hospital parking charges; and calls on hospital trusts in the North West to listen to the concerns of local people and consider schemes to ensure that patients and their friends and relatives do not face exorbitant costs when visiting hospitals.