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<p>The information requested is not collected centrally.</p><p> </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>
</p><p>All ERIC data is published at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://hefs.hscic.gov.uk/ERIC.asp"
target="_blank">http://hefs.hscic.gov.uk/ERIC.asp</a></p><p> </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> </p><p>The provision of parking spaces and the
level of any charges that are made to use them are matters for individual NHS trusts.
NHS organisations must have the autonomy to make decisions that best suit their local
circumstances.</p><p> </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> </p><p>The Department published
clear guidelines (the car parking principles) for National Health Service organisations
that they are expected to follow. The guidelines are available at the following link:</p><p>
</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>
</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><p> </p><p>The NHS trust remains responsible for the actions of any private
contractor they may employ to manage their hospital car parking service.</p>
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