Burnham Tackles Rhodri On Hospital "Stealth Tax"

12.09.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Oct 2006

Eleanor Burnham has in today's Assembly Questions pressed First Minister Rhodri Morgan on the ongoing argument over charging patients, visitors and staff for hospital car parking only to be told that NHS Trusts must "live within their means" and cannot expect Government help.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, demanded that the Government give local NHS Trusts guidance on the charging and exemption schemes currently in action at North Wales hospitals in light of the proposed consolidation of major treatment provision at three hospitals in North Wales.

Ms Burnham said: "Given that under the new plans outlined in the Government's Designed for North Wales patients may have to travel between Gwynedd, Bodelwyddan and Wrexham, I cannot understand why the Trusts haven't been advised on at least regulating their parking charges.

"It is unfortunate that financial pressure obliges these hospitals to charge patients for parking, but there can be no excuse for patients incurring extra and varying costs simply because they do not know they could be exempt.

"I also want to see more done by local NHS Trusts to publicise the exemptions that exist within these schemes so that all those who use hospital services are not suffering additional costs.

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