Current status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether car parking charges will not be introduced at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Vale of Leven Hospital or Royal Alexandra Hospital if all measures to manage car parking at these hospitals are undertaken by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and it is proved that charges are not justified at the hospitals which were not included in the original consultation exercise carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
It is a matter for NHS GreaterGlasgow and Clyde to determine in light of the revised guidance whethercharging is necessary and justified to manage the car parking space available atInverclyde Royal, Vale of Leven and Royal Alexandra hospitals.
In accordance with the revisedcar parking guidance published on 18 January 2008,through their travel plans NHS boards have a responsibility to work with local andregional partners to help to ensure good access to NHS sites for patients, carers,visitors and staff. At most NHS sites, car parking should be free of charge, however,NHS boards may make reasonable charges for car parking as part of a planned approachto facilitating access to sites and to cover the costs of car park provision.