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<p>The information is not collected in the format requested.</p><p>National Health
Service car parking data including the number of NHS hospitals that charge for disabled
car parking is collected annually through Estates Return Information Collection (ERIC).</p><p>All
ERIC data is published at the following link:</p><p><a href="http://hefs.hscic.gov.uk/ERIC.asp"
target="_blank">http://hefs.hscic.gov.uk/ERIC.asp</a></p><p>The 2016-17 figures show
that out of 1,043 hospital sites that have designated disabled parking, 132 charge
for disabled parking which includes disabled people, people with temporary disabilities
as well as Blue Badge holders.</p><p>The provision of parking spaces and the level
of any charges are matters for individual NHS trusts. NHS organisations must have
the autonomy to make decisions that best suit their local circumstances.</p><p>The
Department has published clear guidelines (the car parking principles) for National
Health Service organisations that they are expected to follow.</p><p>Details of charges,
concessions and additional charges should be well publicised including at car park
entrances, wherever payment is made and inside the hospital. They should also be included
on the hospital website and on patient letters and forms, where appropriate.</p><p>Hospitals
should put concessions in place for those who most need help including disabled people,
carers and staff who work shifts. The NHS itself is responsible for ensuring that
charges are fairly applied. Patients, visitors and staff who have problems with car
parking should therefore contact the NHS organisation which runs the car park.</p>
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