Chamber
Plenary, 17 Feb 2000
17 Feb 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Car Parking Charges (West Lothian)
I support much of what Bristow Muldoon and Fiona Hyslop have said, so I will not repeat it. On a number of occasions when I have been to St John's, it has been very difficult to park, so I know parking is an issue. However, the way in which it has been addressed has not been satisfactory.
Parking is particularly a problem for the community staff who use St John's. Although they regularly have to go into the hospital, they are also out and about in the community and have no option but to use cars. How will their needs be met? Will they be charged every time they come into the car park, will they be given an allowance to cover it or will they in effect be taxed for doing their job?
The problem affects all the staff, many of whom travel some distance to work. We all know that hospital staff work the kind of shifts that many of us would not put up with, starting early in the morning and finishing late at night. I would want them to use public transport, but I know that that is not yet an option and that they have no choice but to use their cars to get to work. Again, we are penalising staff who give their time and dedication to patients in West Lothian. That is unacceptable.
Link Transport, of which Fiona Hyslop probably knows, is a project in the Linlithgow area. Because of geographical difficulties and the limitations of public transport, the project was set up to offer transport to St John's for people who could not otherwise get there. The only recompense that the people who run the scheme get is their petrol costs. They give their time voluntarily. Again, I am concerned that the imposition of parking charges will penalise a valuable service to the community.
The community has not been consulted. The trust may have thought that there was going to be
opposition, but that is when it is most important to get out there and start talking. The trust should find out how the proposal could be changed so as not to affect as many people as the current plans will and to protect the most vulnerable—those who are on low wages. Consultation is essential; in West Lothian, it could have been productive. All is not lost, however. The trust should wait and not take the issue further, but discuss it with all those with an interest in ensuring that we have the best possible service for the people of West Lothian.
Parking is particularly a problem for the community staff who use St John's. Although they regularly have to go into the hospital, they are also out and about in the community and have no option but to use cars. How will their needs be met? Will they be charged every time they come into the car park, will they be given an allowance to cover it or will they in effect be taxed for doing their job?
The problem affects all the staff, many of whom travel some distance to work. We all know that hospital staff work the kind of shifts that many of us would not put up with, starting early in the morning and finishing late at night. I would want them to use public transport, but I know that that is not yet an option and that they have no choice but to use their cars to get to work. Again, we are penalising staff who give their time and dedication to patients in West Lothian. That is unacceptable.
Link Transport, of which Fiona Hyslop probably knows, is a project in the Linlithgow area. Because of geographical difficulties and the limitations of public transport, the project was set up to offer transport to St John's for people who could not otherwise get there. The only recompense that the people who run the scheme get is their petrol costs. They give their time voluntarily. Again, I am concerned that the imposition of parking charges will penalise a valuable service to the community.
The community has not been consulted. The trust may have thought that there was going to be
opposition, but that is when it is most important to get out there and start talking. The trust should find out how the proposal could be changed so as not to affect as many people as the current plans will and to protect the most vulnerable—those who are on low wages. Consultation is essential; in West Lothian, it could have been productive. All is not lost, however. The trust should wait and not take the issue further, but discuss it with all those with an interest in ensuring that we have the best possible service for the people of West Lothian.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
We have a final item of business today, which is the members' business debate on motion S1M-475, in the name of Bristow Muldoon, on car parking charges. Inte...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes with concern the decision by West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust to introduce car park charging at St John's Hospital in Livingston; ...
Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab):
Lab
I want first to state clearly that, in raising the issue of proposed car parking charges, I intend no general criticism of West Lothian NHS Trust. Along with...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
Four members have asked to speak. All will be called if speeches are kept to about four minutes.
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, welcome this debate. This issue is of major public concern in West Lothian and, indeed, in west Edinburgh, and it has generated considerable heat. I ...
Mrs Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab):
Lab
I support much of what Bristow Muldoon and Fiona Hyslop have said, so I will not repeat it. On a number of occasions when I have been to St John's, it has be...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
Bristow Muldoon is to be warmly congratulated on securing this debate, which raises matters of great concern. When I visited the hospital, there was tremendo...
Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, congratulate Bristow Muldoon on raising this issue, not just because of what is happening at St John's, but because of the wider national implication...
The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray):
Lab
The issue of charging for car parking in hospital grounds is one that generates a lot of attention. I recognise that it is doing so in West Lothian—although ...
Meeting closed at 17:32.