Paul Announces bill to chop hospital parking charges          26 June 2008

Paul is launching a members bill to scrap all charges in hospital car parks.  He said: "My bill will make it illegal for a health board to levy car parking charges on patients, visitors or staff - or anyone who had to visit a site for whatever reason.  If commercial sites like Braehead and the Fort can provide free car parking, is it not a sad reflection that people are being cared for in hospital and their families have to pay to park.  It is an extra hassle that patients and their families do not need at what is already a stressful enough time."

Pauls bill is supported by NHS staff unions.  Unison Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said: "There is an obvious need to cut the car parking charges that have become a tax on the sick in too many hospitals in Scotland.  Even £3 a day is a significant amount, if you are low-paid or have to visit a hospital regularly."