Date: 21 December 2007

Two Cheers for hospital car parking report - UNISON

UNISON, Scotland's health care union, today gave a cautious welcome to the Government announcement that hospital car parking in Scotland 'should be free' and pledged to raise the issue with NHS boards where charging has been introduced early in the New Year.

Regional Officer Matt McLaughlin said, "It is welcome that the Cabinet Secretary has recognised the need to cut the car parking charges that have become a tax on the sick in too many hospitals in Glasgow & Clyde. We look forward to the guidance in the New Year on the steps that NHS boards must take before contemplating charges, and the criteria to be used by Boards in issuing staff permits.

"We will be pointing out that the system in Glasgow has not been introduced in line with these procedures."

Tom Waterson, Chair of UNISONScotland's Health Service Group and of the union's Lothian Health branch said "We will also be urging the Government to bring all PFI hospitals under the same controls as soon as possible. Private companies should not be profiteering from staff going to work and relatives visiting patients"

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Matt McLaughlin (Regional Organiser) 0870 7777 006 (w) 07904341979 Tom Waterson (Chair - Health Service group) 07753 627 575 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0870 7777 006(w) 0771 558 3729(m)

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