Overview

This bill aims to exempt carers from hospital parking charges. It mandates that healthcare providers create schemes to offer free parking to carers who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as receiving Carer's Allowance or providing substantial regular care. The bill sets deadlines for implementation and allows for government guidance and regulations.

Description

The bill legally requires healthcare providers (NHS and private) to exempt qualifying carers from hospital parking fees.

Qualifying Carers:

A qualifying carer is defined as someone receiving or entitled to Carer's Allowance.

Qualifying Activities:

The carer must be transporting, visiting, or otherwise assisting a person receiving care at the healthcare facility.

Implementation:

Healthcare providers must implement exemption arrangements within 12 months. They also must develop and submit exemption schemes to the Secretary of State within 12 months, with full implementation within 18 months. The Secretary of State will issue guidance following public consultation, and can create regulations through parliamentary approval.

Eligibility Expansion:

The bill amends the Care Act 2014 to allow local authorities to assess carer eligibility for free parking, and also allows for eligibility based on certification from an appropriate clinician (registered nurse or medical practitioner) confirming substantial regular care provision.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. The financial impact will depend on the number of carers exempted and the cost of parking at different healthcare facilities. The cost will be borne by NHS trusts and private hospitals.

Groups Affected

• Carers: Those meeting the eligibility criteria will benefit from free hospital parking.
• Healthcare providers (NHS and private hospitals): They will incur costs associated with implementing the exemption schemes and potentially a loss of revenue from parking charges.
• Local authorities: They will have a new responsibility in assessing carer eligibility for free parking (under amended Care Act 2014).
• Patients: Indirectly affected, as the scheme aims to ease the burden on carers supporting them.

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