Welsh Liberal Democrats back free parking at Swansea Hospitals

12.00.00am GMT Wed 27th Feb 2008

Peter Black at Morriston Hospital

Two leading Welsh Liberal Democrat politicians have backed calls by the British Medical Association Cymru for free parking for patients, staff and relatives at Swansea's hospitals.

Swansea-based Assembly Member, Peter Black and Council Leader, Chris Holley have both said that the removal of charges at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals are commonsense. They have called on the Welsh Assembly Government to replace the £1.5 million revenue that Swansea NHS Trust receives from these charges each year so that people are able to access local health services without being penalised.

"These charges have been used by the hospital trust to bolster their income for too long," said Mr. Black. "People do not choose to visit hospital. They do so because they are ill, they are visiting or accompanying somebody who is ill, or because they work there. It is not right that they should be used as a cash-cow by the NHS. The Assembly government needs to step in, replace the revenue being raised and abolish charges altogether."

Council leader, Chris Holley, agreed: "These charges are particularly hard on people with long term illnesses who have to visit hospital on a weekly basis," he said. "The last thing that anybody visiting one of our hospitals needs is to worry about having enough change for the car park. In principle, we should not tax our carers and those who are sick in this way. I would hope that the Welsh Government listens to all those calling for the abolition of these charges and acts soon."