09.04.10
Car parking reforms under review
The government has said that plans to scrap car parking charges at hospitals are still under review, with a decision to be made at a later date.
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 to the NHS car parking consultation soon and all decisions will be subject to the spending review.
"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 making it difficult for staff to do their jobs properly, where they are damaging patient access to services, or preventing friends and family from visiting then hospital trusts have a responsibility to respond to those factors.”
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