Hospital parking charges petition

[grivas]

Originally Posted by Andy_with_a_screwdriver

Just had an email today about the latest FairfuelUK petition, that aims to get the government debate the reduction or scrappage of hospital car parking charges.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/219650%20


I've signed it in the hope something may happen

I am sure something will happen, oh dear just seen some pigs flying about how does that work then, I ask my small dog, don't you know she said, they are going to stop charging sick people, (and their relatives who come to visit them in hospital), the obscene amounts of money for parking, oh well it must be all those petitions the public have been signing that you hear about, I said.

Honestly, it will never happen, the system doeen't allow it. Change the system.

[bendrick]

Originally Posted by EastPete

I believe that in Wales and Scotland , hospital parking charges have been scrapped (someone please correct me if I am wrong). If this is true, it should be same across the UK.

I think the hospitals do get some of the money from the parking, with the parking company taking their cut.

Pete

Hmm this old chestnut...I should start by saying that I don't agree with parking charges of any description at hospitals.

However I would like to pre-empt the usual no parking charges and free prescriptions in Wales whines by pointing out that the English NHS could also have free prescriptions and parking. They just have to pay for it out of the English NHS budget just as these benefits in Wales come from the Welsh NHS budget.

Personally if you compare the horrendous waits to see consultants and wait for operations in Wales compared to England ( the imbalances on waiting lists in Wales compared to England is horrendous despite Wales only having 1/17th of the number of the English population ) I'd rather the money on free prescriptions + money that might be colllected for parking be spent on Consultants, nurses and operations.

Personally I'd rather spend £8 on a prescription and a parking charge here and there and be able to see a consultant or have an operation when I need one than free prescriptions and car parking.

Be careful what you wish for and examine the situation in Wales in depth before demanding free prescriptions etc etc the diverted budget for which would mean less consultants and nurses.

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by bendrick

Hmm this old chestnut...I should start by saying that I don't agree with parking charges of any description at hospitals.

However I would like to pre-empt the usual no parking charges and free prescriptions in Wales whines by pointing out that the English NHS could also have free prescriptions and parking. They just have to pay for it out of the English NHS budget just as these benefits in Wales come from the Welsh NHS budget.

Personally if you compare the horrendous waits to see consultants and wait for operations in Wales compared to England ( the imbalances on waiting lists in Wales compared to England is horrendous despite Wales only having 1/17th of the number of the English population ) I'd rather the money on free prescriptions + money that might be colllected for parking be spent on Consultants, nurses and operations.

Personally I'd rather spend £8 on a prescription and a parking charge here and there and be able to see a consultant or have an operation when I need one than free prescriptions and car parking.

Be careful what you wish for and examine the situation in Wales in depth before demanding free prescriptions etc etc the diverted budget for which would mean less consultants and nurses.

Kevin

I sympathise and understand fully- we have a property in Wales, and visit there often. We know from friends we have there how bad the NHS situation is in Wales, compared to England (and it is not great in some parts of England, I can tell you !). Parking charges probably make little difference when compared to the overall NHS budget, but can hit individuals hard if they need to make frequent hospital visits. In a perfect world, we would have free hospital parking, but a properly resourced/funded NHS in all parts of the UK.

Pete

[Mr Bone]

If the parking is managed by a third party (NCP, Q Park etc) then there is little chance that parking fees will be axed. In most cases, the hospital trust will have leased the spaces for an up front fee over a fixed term.

[frankson]

Just signed. These charges are a monstrous insult to the sick and their no-doubt already troubled families

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by Mr Bone

If the parking is managed by a third party (NCP, Q Park etc) then there is little chance that parking fees will be axed. In most cases, the hospital trust will have leased the spaces for an up front fee over a fixed term.

That's the problem with the three hospitals I mentioned up here. There are 25-30 year contracts for the parking and trying to buy them out would be unrealistic.

[jackatesme]

Post by Bendrick: Personally I'd rather spend £8 on a prescription and a parking charge here and there and be able to see a consultant or have an operation when I need one than free prescriptions and car parking.

While i agree with you up to a point,i must point out the other side of the coin.
My wife and myself have been prescribed a total of 11 tablets,so £88/4week period would be a big chunk out of our pensions. I would not mind paying a nominal amount but £8/prescription is a tad too much. I know it's off topic, i also think that the free bus pass is given out too freely,i think there would be money saved if people with passes be asked to give something towards the fare. All in all i think there is too much given out too freely.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by bendrick

Personally I'd rather spend £8 on a prescription and a parking charge here and there and be able to see a consultant or have an operation when I need one than free prescriptions and car parking.

Be careful what you wish for and examine the situation in Wales in depth before demanding free prescriptions etc etc the diverted budget for which would mean less consultants and nurses.

I understand the bulk of the money paid for parking and parking fines, goes to the private parking companies.

[myfirstrover]

The upside of parking charges is that you don't get tedious relations lurking about , asking about power of attorney and wills , and dropping hints about "shall we look after the house while you're in here ? " as the gits are too tight to hang about !

[topman]

Originally Posted by jackatesme

My wife and myself have been prescribed a total of 11 tablets,so £88/4week period would be a big chunk out of our pensions. I would not mind paying a nominal amount but £8/prescription is a tad too much.

You can get pre payment certificate, for £29 you can get an unlimited amount of prescription medicines for 3 months.