Changes To Hospital Parking Charges "On Hold"

20 March 2013, 15:14 | Updated: 20 March 2013, 15:33

The NHS Trust, which runs three hospitals in Herts; Hemel, St Albans and Watford - says it's putting "on-hold" its' plans to change parking tariffs and inter-hospital transport.

But after concern was raised by individuals and charities which support disabled people who use the local hospitals over the potential increase in cost of hospital visits caused by the changes, the Trust says it now wants to hear more comments from people who may be affected.

Louise Gaffney, the Director for Strategy and Infrastructure told Heart today (Weds 20th March): "To try and ensure the survey is as open, accessible and understandable to our stakeholders as possible, all the questions were reviewed and feedback incorporated from a number of patients, including Blue Badge Holders, and our staff-side representatives.

Numerous parking charging options were considered and the three methods offered were found to be the fairest within the available resources.   It should be noted that Trust staff are currently paying for parking as a percentage of their salary and the three options increase their payment levels by 0.2% or by 0.3%.

The proposed charges for disabled parking have been put on hold until the results of the listening exercise are available.  The Trust welcomes and value’s everyone’s opinion.  All views will be listened to and I would urge as many people as possible to complete the survey to help influence the future management of hospital transport and car parking."

To access the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust survey for Parking & Transport, visit http://travel-survey.com/whht2013/ or pick up a hard copy from the main receptions/restaurants at St Albans, Hemel or Watford General hospitals.