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<p>Decisions on car parking provision and charging are taken locally by each trust.</p><p>The
Department published clear guidelines (the car parking principles) for National Health
Service organisations that they are expected to follow. 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><p>The Department published
NHS patient, visitor and staff car parking principles on 23 August 2014, which were
subsequently updated in October 2015:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles</a></p><p>On
concessions, the principles make clear that concessions, including free or reduced
charges or caps, should be available for the following groups:</p><p>- disabled people,
including people with temporary disabilities as well as Blue Badge holders;</p><p>-
frequent outpatient attenders;</p><p>- visitors with relatives who are gravely ill,
or carers of such people;</p><p>- visitors to relatives who have an extended stay
in hospital, or carers of such people;</p><p>- carers of people in the above groups
where appropriate; and</p><p>- staff working shifts that mean public transport cannot
be used.</p>
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