Car park charges 'pay for stroke care' (From Northwich Guardian)

Hospital trust says car park charges pay for better service for stroke patients

12:30pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in News By Gina Bebbington

WE asked Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for a response to our petition and the public outcry against the parking charges at VIN that it represents.

Phil Morley, chief executive, said: “We acknowledge the support given by Northwich residents to the Guardian’s campaign and understand the opposition felt to the charging system but would again like to take the opportunity, via the Guardian, to clarify some of the reasons the charges are necessary.

“The reality is that NHS hospitals have a fixed budget which is enhanced by funds raised from other areas, such as car parking charges.

“We ensure these additional funds are ploughed right back into providing care to some of our most vulnerable patients and improving clinical services.

“I use the example of our stroke unit – funds raised through car parking charges helped us last year to double the number of stroke beds we now have at Leighton Hospital, ensuring stroke patients get the best possible care in a dedicated setting.

“The cost of the stroke unit was equal to the surplus made from car parking charges at Leighton Hospital in 2007/8.

“Northwich residents make up approximately 19 per cent of the local catchment population for our trust, receiving care at both our Crewe and Northwich hospitals.

“However, approximately 23 per cent of our patients on the stroke unit come from the Northwich area, reinforcing the fact that Northwich residents are directly benefiting from the improved facilities.

“Our car parking charges are in line with the NHS Confederation report, ‘Fair for all, not free for all’.

“Patients and the public do not expect healthcare to suffer to fund the provision of car parks.

“Indeed, the transport costs of non car owners are not subsidised by the NHS so it would be unfair to spend our budget to provide subsidised free car parks. Our charges are equitable across our two sites and are in line with our travel plan, which ensures we meet our environmental and financial responsibilities.

“They are also supported by our governors, publicly elected to represent their local population, who ensure we get best value for money on every pound we spend.

“Since introducing the charges and being able to provide additional security measures, there have been no reports of vandalism or theft at our car parks.

“If we were to scrap parking charges, as in Scotland, the cost of maintaining our car parks and the security of our visitors, staff and vehicles would need to be funded from our fixed budget.

“As many of the Guardian readers will be aware from national media coverage, there will be a £15-20billion reduction in NHS budgets in the next few years.

“Despite this, we have given assurances in our 2007 – 2012 business plan that there are no plans to increase our car parking charges.

“I know that this is not a popular decision, but it has been made to ensure we can continue to provide and improve safe, high quality care services, supported by a fit-for-purpose infrastructure, for our patients across the whole of Cheshire.

“The reality is, the removal of car parking charges would almost certainly mean the loss of clinical patient services and we are not prepared to let that happen.”

l What do you think of the trust’s response?

The Guardian hopes to meet with Mr Morley about the parking charges this month and we want to know the questions you would like him to answer.

Write to Gina Bebbington, Northwich Guardian, 3 Theatre Court, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5HB, email northwich@guardiangrp.co.uk or visit our website northwich guardian.co.uk.