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Call to scrap hospital car charge Call to scrap hospital car charge
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland should follow Scotland's example and abolish parking charges at hospitals, an MLA has said.Northern Ireland should follow Scotland's example and abolish parking charges at hospitals, an MLA has said.
"I will be asking the minister to estimate the costs," said Stormont health committee member Carmel Hanna."I will be asking the minister to estimate the costs," said Stormont health committee member Carmel Hanna.
On Tuesday it was announced charges would be scrapped at almost all of Scotland's hospitals.On Tuesday it was announced charges would be scrapped at almost all of Scotland's hospitals.
In May, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced free parking for very ill patients and their families.In May, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced free parking for very ill patients and their families.
He said the decision to charge other patients and visitors who made lengthy or frequent visits was up to individual trusts.He said the decision to charge other patients and visitors who made lengthy or frequent visits was up to individual trusts.
NI's five acute hospitals, the Royal, City, Mater, Ulster and Altnagelvin, charge patients and staff for car parking.NI's five acute hospitals, the Royal, City, Mater, Ulster and Altnagelvin, charge patients and staff for car parking.
According to the Department of Health, a patient visiting for an outpatient appointment that does not involve treatment or someone visiting an inpatient in hospital would, on average, spend one to two hours in the hospital and incur a charge of £1 to £1.50.According to the Department of Health, a patient visiting for an outpatient appointment that does not involve treatment or someone visiting an inpatient in hospital would, on average, spend one to two hours in the hospital and incur a charge of £1 to £1.50.
"People shouldn't be disadvantaged by being sick, " said Carmel Hanna."People shouldn't be disadvantaged by being sick, " said Carmel Hanna.
"The last thing that you need, particularly as a worrying relative, is trying to find somewhere to park and the expense of it if you are going two to three times a day for several weeks.""The last thing that you need, particularly as a worrying relative, is trying to find somewhere to park and the expense of it if you are going two to three times a day for several weeks."
The Scottish health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, wants to scrap charges at 14 hospitals. Charges at three hospitals built by private finance will remain, but the minister said work would start on reducing them.The Scottish health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, wants to scrap charges at 14 hospitals. Charges at three hospitals built by private finance will remain, but the minister said work would start on reducing them.
Mrs Hanna said abolishing the charges at hospital car parks in NI, including the on at the Royal Group of Hospitals which was built by private finance, would "not be too substantial in the grand scheme of things". Mrs Hanna said abolishing the charges at hospital car parks in NI, including the one at the Royal Group of Hospitals which was built by private finance, would "not be too substantial in the grand scheme of things".
She added that a management system could also be put in place to ensure the free parking was not abused by motorists.She added that a management system could also be put in place to ensure the free parking was not abused by motorists.