LibDem Councillor expresses concern over disabled charges proposal

7.50.28am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 25th May 2006

Concern over disabled charges proposal

Dundee LibDem Councillor for Tay Bridges Ward, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, has expressed his concern regarding the latest announcement from NHS Tayside that fees from charging disabled drivers and carers to park at Ninewells Hospital will be used to finance a subsidy scheme.

Cllr Macpherson said today (Thursday 25th May), " I have been contacted by irate constituents over the past week regarding the issue of car parking charges at Ninewells Hospital. They are not only concerned by the proposals to start charging visitors to A&E and the disabled, but are also concerned that the new pricing policy will force more cars onto the streets in the surrounding residential areas, creating further parking problems for residents.

"I find the situation most unsatisfactory where senior Tayside Health managers have, on a daily basis this week, given various reasons as to why there are problems with parking at Ninewells - from students using it as a park-and-ride to holidaymakers using it for a park-and-fly! I find it very difficult to believe that holidaymaker parking has any significant impact on the parking difficulties at Ninewells.

"We are now informed that the disabled will be used to finance a subsidy scheme which, according to site manager, Brian Main, "has still to be worked out". This is totally unacceptable."

Cllr Macpherson also commented, "I have written to Health Minister, Andy Kerr, regarding the wider issue of taxing the ill in this manner."

Related Links:

Free spaces to be funded - The Courier.

MSPs set to probe hospital charges - The Courier.