HOSPITAL CAR PARKING - BLUE BADGE HOLDERS AND GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

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 states that concessions, including free or reduced charges, should be available for disabled people; notes that the Department of Health and Social Care declared that 132 hospitals in England charge disabled people for parking; recognises that all hospitals are expected to follow the Department's Guidance; regrets that the guidance is clearly not respected by all hospitals; further recognises that this puts unfair financial burden on the most vulnerable patients; and therefore urges the Government to introduce legislation to abolish car parking charges for disabled people.