Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his oral contribution of 1 February 2018, Official Report, column 1083, what recent discussions he has had with NHS hospitals in England on the charging of blue badge holders for parking.

There have been no recent discussions between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and National Health Service hospitals in England with reference to his oral contribution of 1 February 2018, Official Report, column 1083; however; the Department keeps the policy and guidance relating to NHS patient, visitor and staff car parking regularly under review including discussions between officials and NHS organisations.

National Health Service trusts make decisions locally about the provision of car parking to patients, visitors and staff.

Providing car parking results in NHS trusts incurring costs for equipment, signage, lighting, insurance, security, administration and maintenance. This money could otherwise be used to provide clinical care to patients. The Department published clear guidelines (car parking principles) for NHS organisations that they are expected to follow. Hospitals should put concessions in place for those who most need help including blue badge holders, carers and staff who work shifts. The NHS itself is responsible for ensuring that charges are fairly applied. Patients, visitors and staff who have problems with car parking should therefore contact the NHS organisation which runs the car park.

NHS Patient, Visitor and Staff Car Parking Principles first published in August, 2014 and updated in October 2015, set out a nationally consistent approach for hospitals to take to car parking and concessionary charges. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles