| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:OUT COME OF TODAYS MEETING. | |
| Posted by: | Ina Chureetur | |
| Date/Time: | 12/01/06 15:07:00 |
| Hi All, I have some corrections to make that i misunderstood at the meeting. The main car park charges would remain as they are, plus the annual inflationary increase in April 2006. (rounded up and rounded down to the nearest 10p but overall circa 2.7%) The consultation document does discuss the problem of long stay patients, the cost of parking for the near relatives and regular attendance to the clinics.there would be a strong possibility that they would introduce a concessionary scheme for this type of visitor and that the daily charge would probably be around £1.50. I did highlight all the problems that were mentioned on this thread from the issue of what the residents in the surrounding area have to endure due to the high costs, the finacial hardship caused to the majority of people that are poor,the problems of parents who have children/babies in the hospital etc. We did not take minutes at the meeting. With this i am disappointed ,as Matt and I have taken the time and effort to bring to light the views of the general public and the problems that are caused by the cost of the parking. If all the opinions are not going to be considered then what was the point of the meeting? The consultation paper had been created before the meeting,therefore public opinion and issues would not be taken into consideration. Here is the consultation paper. West Middlesex University Hospital r1T:J.1 NHSTrust Proposal to change parking arrangements at West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust This consultation paper is part of the Trust's ongoing review of car parking arrangements on the hospital premises. It invites your comments and views on the proposals, which aim to ensure the arrangements are fair to all users whilst making appropriate use of public money. Basis for the review The Trust has developed a Travel Plan, which aims to facilitate effective access to the hospital site by patients, staff and visitors whilst endeavouring to minimise the impact of this travel on the environment. The plan also aims to ensure continued investment in a range of travel options and, where necessary, investment in improved facilities including CCTVor better lighting for all users. The plan has been in operation for 12 months and these proposals aim to develop the Plan further by ensuring that charges for parking are fair to all our users. It is important that we acknowledge that there is a cost to the NHS in providing car parking facilities. The costs relate to ongoing maintenance, security and management of these facilities. We also have to ensure dedicated emergency, essential user, staff and disabled spaces are effectively controlled and available when required. Unlike many London hospitals the Trust is fortunate to have ample public car parking which is closely located to the hospital building and includes dedicated disabled bays at suitable locations. Currently, parking for disabled badge holders is free but the cost of this is met through increased parking charges for all other users, who in many cases are no more able to afford to pay for parking than disabled users. Also, there is no provision for reduced parking charges for patients attending regularly for outpatient appointments or for carers/relatives of patients who are in hospital for long periods. Why do the current arrangements need to change? . The current charging scheme is inequitable as the general car parking charges are inflated to cover the cost of free disabled parking. . The trust does not currently offer concessionary rates for patients attending frequently or relatives of long stay patients. This is causing finacial hardship to some patients and their families. . There is a potential cost of policing free parking for disabled users which could lead to further increases in charges for other users The Trust cannot divert money away from clinical services to subsidise users or pay for the upkeep of car parks. The Trust relies on parking income to subsidies the cost of our facilities. Although we cannot afford to jeopardise this income stream neither do we wish to abuse it through excessive parking charges. . . Options Three options are being considered: 1. Continued ample free parking for disabled badge holders and the introduction of concessionary rates for regular users. This would lead to a further increase in car parking charges for general users,substantially above the rate of inflation. 2. Limited additional provision of free but time restricted (short stay)parking for disabled badge holders outside the main car parks with charges for disabled badge holders within the main car parks in line with general parking charges. In addition the introduction of concessionary rates for frequent patients and relatives who regularly visit long stay patients (over 2 weeks). This would lead to an inflationary increase only in charges. 3. Introduce charges for disabled badge holders in line with general parking charges and a concessionary rate for patients who have to attend the hospital on a frequent (i.e. daily outpatient treatment for a sustained period of time) and relatives who regularly visit long stay patients (over 2 weeks). Note: there is no legal requirement to provide free or reduced parking facilities for disabled badge holders. Comments on these proposals If you have any comments on the above proposals, please send them to Corporate Affairs, West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW3 2HP or email to corporate.affairs@wmuh.nhs.uk. Closing date for comments is 27'h January 2006. Background on current charges and their implications The new hospital building was opened in 2003. In July 2004 the new car parks were opened and disabled badge holders were required to pay for their parking at general tariff rates. In response to public concern, the Trust & the company that manages the car parks, Ecovert, agreed to continue with free disabled parking in the short term while the system was reviewed. For the next 7 months this was at an additional cost to the hospital. In February 2005, an above inflation increase to the general parking charges was introduced to contribute to cost of free parking for disabled badgeholders. However, the true cost to the NHS of free disabled parking is still in excess of £24k per annum which is unsustainable in the long term. In addition to this, the Trust has become aware that a number of visitors have suffered financial hardship as a result of parking charges incurred by relatives regularly visiting long stay patients. The Trust is keen to find a solution to alleviate the difficulties of this group of visitors. |