Chamber
Plenary, 17 Feb 2000
17 Feb 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Car Parking Charges (West Lothian)
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 implications. There is much ill feeling in many parts of England about the substantial charges that are made on a completely indiscriminate basis. It seems that we are now faced with a major problem that will only get worse.
As the acute services review progresses and there are major changes to modernise the service—changes that are entirely appropriate and must be driven through—there will be substantial increases in ambulatory care, which will lead in turn to greater congestion in hospitals such as St John's. The effect on staff of that congestion is extremely deleterious, as they are often unable to find car park spaces.
Mary Mulligan mentioned community staff. Having been a member of a community staff group, I want to emphasise that aspect of the problem. At our hospital, we managed to oppose the introduction of charges. I visited the hospital on a regular basis, but not as regularly as the midwives did, and I know that it is a major problem.
I ask the minister to consider establishing a committee to examine the transport strategy for Scottish hospitals. As I said, it will become a wider problem. Are there opportunities for staff to car- share and is it encouraged? Is any management effort put into supporting staff who are coming in for difficult shifts at night, when their safety and security are important? Any piecemeal solution, as often occurs, would be inappropriate.
Mary Mulligan mentioned volunteer drivers. The British Red Cross Society provides an excellent transportation service, demand for which can only increase. Since we have centralised paediatric cardiac surgery at Yorkhill in Glasgow, people have to travel there regularly. It seems unfair, and goes against my basic principles as a socialist, that we should be charging the people whose need is greatest, who go to the hospital most frequently with children or other relatives who are seriously ill. Those people suffer the most because of their illness. We must find a sensitive system that discriminates appropriately in relation to staff and to those who are using the service, so that we can manage things more effectively.
I do not deny that we have a problem or that we have no effective solutions, but I do not believe that a simple policy of introducing charging without adequate consultation is an appropriate way to progress.
As the acute services review progresses and there are major changes to modernise the service—changes that are entirely appropriate and must be driven through—there will be substantial increases in ambulatory care, which will lead in turn to greater congestion in hospitals such as St John's. The effect on staff of that congestion is extremely deleterious, as they are often unable to find car park spaces.
Mary Mulligan mentioned community staff. Having been a member of a community staff group, I want to emphasise that aspect of the problem. At our hospital, we managed to oppose the introduction of charges. I visited the hospital on a regular basis, but not as regularly as the midwives did, and I know that it is a major problem.
I ask the minister to consider establishing a committee to examine the transport strategy for Scottish hospitals. As I said, it will become a wider problem. Are there opportunities for staff to car- share and is it encouraged? Is any management effort put into supporting staff who are coming in for difficult shifts at night, when their safety and security are important? Any piecemeal solution, as often occurs, would be inappropriate.
Mary Mulligan mentioned volunteer drivers. The British Red Cross Society provides an excellent transportation service, demand for which can only increase. Since we have centralised paediatric cardiac surgery at Yorkhill in Glasgow, people have to travel there regularly. It seems unfair, and goes against my basic principles as a socialist, that we should be charging the people whose need is greatest, who go to the hospital most frequently with children or other relatives who are seriously ill. Those people suffer the most because of their illness. We must find a sensitive system that discriminates appropriately in relation to staff and to those who are using the service, so that we can manage things more effectively.
I do not deny that we have a problem or that we have no effective solutions, but I do not believe that a simple policy of introducing charging without adequate consultation is an appropriate way to progress.
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.