GOVERNMENT GUIDLINES ON HOSPITAL CAR PARKING

That this House notes the Department of Health and Social Care Guidance, entitled NHS patient, visitor and staff car parking principles; further notes that the guidance suggests specifically that details of charges, concessions and additional charges should be well publicised; highlights written parliamentary Question 131743 asking how many NHS hospitals in England publicise such details; notes the response to the Question that such information is not collected centrally; is concerned that the principle, and indeed the entire guidance, could be easily ignored by NHS hospitals in England due to the lack of follow-up by the Government; and therefore urges the Government to introduce substantive legislation to abolish hospital car parking charges in England with enforcement mechanisms.