Call to end Hospital Parking Charges renewed

1.59.15pm GMT Fri 2nd Jan 2009

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have again repeated their call for all NHS Hospital sites in the County to abandon their scandalous car parking charges.

"This charges, which are inflicted on patients, staff and visitors alike should be abolished NOW," comments Lib Dem County Health Spokes, Cllr. Geoff Heathcock, "this would be the best new year's present that the Secretary of State could give to hospital users and it would give back the nearby streets, which have become free car parking facilities for those not wishing to pay the charges, to local residents.

Cllr Heathcock who represents Queen Ediths in Cambridge, which has Addenbrookes in the ward, added "We are told again and again we have one National Health Service and everyone should be treated the same, if that's the case then Alan Johnson has to make a decision once and for all in 2009 to take away these disgraceful charges. These charges are just an unreasonable tax on the sick, made even more of a disgrace by the fact that we already paid for such facilities through our NI Stamp and Income Tax. We should not be taxed again when we need treatment, are visiting the sick or going to work to care for others."

"Scotland and Wales have now been relieved of this stealth tax - its now overdue for England to be treated in the same way."