Ashford & St Peters Press release

Dear Caz Thank you for your email. Yes the Trust has reviewed its Car Parking Policy recently and the Board has decided to introduce charging for Blue Badge holders. We don’t have an agreed implementation date as yet as there are a number of issues we are reviewing first following a discussion with the Trust’s Disability Group last week. (The group comprises representatives of local disability groups and patient representatives.) I have attached our press statement for your information which gives more information around this decision, and which was not one the Board made lightly but reflects the increasingly challenging financial situation we find ourselves in. It’s important to note that any patient or visitor, able-bodied or not, who is in receipt of certain welfare benefits relating to low income, is able to claim back their parking costs through the NHS agreed scheme which we operate here. I hope that helps to clarify the situation. With best regards, Giselle Giselle Rothwell Head of Communications