The British Parking Association (BPA) has re-published its “Charter for Healthcare Parking,” which aims to strike the right balance between being fair to patients, visitors and staff, and ensuring facilities are managed effectively for the good of everyone.

The BPA is keen for both managers of healthcare facilities and carpark operators – at whom the Charter, first published in 2010, is predominantly aimed – to recognize the importance of parking policy in terms of the wider transport strategy and the need to manage traffic and parking in line with demand and environmental needs.

The BPA aims to increase public confidence in parking and parking management through the setting and raising of standards across the sector, believing that providing, managing and charging for parking at healthcare facilities need to be seen in the context of delivering a better and fairer service to users.

While many people attending healthcare facilities, either as patients or visitors, expect parking to be free, the limits on space, costs involved and demand for spaces means that car parking needs to be managed properly. Often the most effective way to do this is by charging for parking.

This recognizes the value of a parking space; the needs of other users of the facility; the environmental impact of driving; and the need to maintain and improve carparks by reinvesting income.  

[Source: British Parking Association]