Overview

This bill aims to exempt carers from paying hospital parking charges. It mandates that healthcare providers create schemes to offer this exemption to qualifying and eligible carers who regularly transport, visit, or otherwise support individuals receiving care at hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Description

The bill introduces two categories of carers: "qualifying carers" and "eligible carers".

Qualifying Carers

Qualifying carers are those receiving, or entitled to, Carer's Allowance. This exemption applies when they are providing care by transporting, visiting, or assisting a person receiving treatment at a healthcare facility.

Eligible Carers

Eligible carers are those assessed by a local authority as eligible for free parking under the Care Act 2014, or those certified by an appropriate clinician (registered nurse or doctor) as providing substantial regular care.

The bill requires healthcare providers (NHS and private) to develop and implement schemes for these exemptions within 18 months of the Act's enactment. The Secretary of State will issue guidance on scheme implementation, and has the power to create regulations (subject to parliamentary approval) to govern these schemes. The bill applies only to England.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending but will likely lead to increased costs for the NHS and possibly some local authorities due to lost parking revenue. The exact financial implications are not detailed in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Carers: Qualifying and eligible carers will benefit from free hospital parking, reducing financial burdens associated with caring responsibilities.
• NHS Trusts and Private Hospitals: These institutions will incur costs from the lost parking revenue, requiring them to implement new schemes and potentially adjust their parking management systems.
• Local Authorities: Increased workload related to the assessment of eligible carers under the Care Act 2014.
• Patients: Indirect benefit through reduced burden on their carers.

Powered by nyModel