There is an article in today's Courier (click on headline above to view) regarding the continuing - and, indeed, increasing - parking charges at Ninewells Hospital and I spoke on Radio Tay this morning about the issue. I made clear that SNP Ministers are shedding crocodile tears over the matter, having made little effort to tackle the issue of parking charges at Ninewells, subject to a PFI contract, whilst introducing free parking at other hospitals.SNP Public Health Minister Shona Robison’s claim that she believes “NHS resources are best directed at patient care” is a weak excuse as it contrasts with SNP Ministers allowing for NHS resources being used to fund the abolition of charges at other hospitals.
It should be remembered that Nicola Sturgeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-Being, claimed in September :
"I also expect those NHS Boards with car parks operated under PFI contracts to work as hard as they can to minimise this inconvenience to visitors by limiting or reducing their charges."
In contrast to SNP Ministers’ claims that they were instructing Health Boards to work to limit charges, the parking charge at Ninewells Hospital has actually increased since Nicola Sturgeon made her claim. What’s more £250 000 is now being spent on more charging machines and barriers at Ninewells so it is obvious there is no intention whatsoever to properly investigate the viability of removing the charges.
Not only are the parking charges a “tax on ill health” they also result in an overflow of cars into West End streets nearest to the hospital, causing inconvenience and annoyance to residents. It is obvious that SNP Ministers have failed Dundee on the hospital parking issues – the charges have simply increased under Ms Sturgeon’s and Ms Robison’s watch.
It should be remembered that Nicola Sturgeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-Being, claimed in September :
"I also expect those NHS Boards with car parks operated under PFI contracts to work as hard as they can to minimise this inconvenience to visitors by limiting or reducing their charges."
In contrast to SNP Ministers’ claims that they were instructing Health Boards to work to limit charges, the parking charge at Ninewells Hospital has actually increased since Nicola Sturgeon made her claim. What’s more £250 000 is now being spent on more charging machines and barriers at Ninewells so it is obvious there is no intention whatsoever to properly investigate the viability of removing the charges.
Not only are the parking charges a “tax on ill health” they also result in an overflow of cars into West End streets nearest to the hospital, causing inconvenience and annoyance to residents. It is obvious that SNP Ministers have failed Dundee on the hospital parking issues – the charges have simply increased under Ms Sturgeon’s and Ms Robison’s watch.