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<p>Information relating to hospital car parking charging rates and modes of payment
within hospital car parks is not available in the format requested.</p><p> </p><p>Information
relating to which hospitals have a Private Finance Initiative associated with their
parking facilities is not collected centrally.</p><p> </p><p>The provision of parking
spaces and the level of any charges that are made to use them are matters for individual
National Health Service trusts. NHS organisations must have the autonomy to make decisions
that best suit their local circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>Details and methods 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>
</p><p>The Department published clear guidelines (the car parking principles) for
NHS organisations that they are expected to follow.</p><p> </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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