Car parking charges in NHS hospitals in Wales are to be abolished and the assembly is today (3 March 2008) expected to set out a timetable for introducing free parking. Mike Ponton, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation responds to the new proposal.

'On the face of it, this is great news for patients, staff and visitors and we're sure it will be welcomed by the public. But it costs a lot of money to run car parks and the dilemma now is how to meet these costs without impacting on patient care. It will inevitably add to the pressures placed on Trusts to provide services and balance the books.

'It will be even more important now to find new ways of controlling car parks to avoid misuse, particularly where hospitals are near town centres.

'This may also discourage people from using alternative forms of transport where it is available, increasing demand on limited spaces.

'The onus is now on us all to use NHS car parking facilities responsibly and with due consideration for others.'