Peter Bates, chairman of NHS Tayside, has ordered a full review of the system in relation to travel costs and car parking charges for patients obliged to make regular hospital visits.

Details of the move were contained in a letter to Dundee MSP Shona Robison, who had described the charges as “tantamount to a tax on being ill”.

The Dundee MSP spoke out following research by Macmillan Cancer Relief on the cost of parking during a course of life-saving treatment.

“Following the recent report from MacMillan Cancer Relief which outlined the high cost of parking for cancer patients who need frequent visits to hospital, I wrote to Peter Bates, chairman of NHS Tayside,” she said.

“I asked him to consider the fact that the costs of parking in Ninewells for cancer sufferers was on average £380 during their treatment.

“This is an intolerable burden on those already suffering from a serious illness, many of whom will be off work and living on a reduced income.

“I am also aware that renal patients and other people who need regular treatments have to pay parking charges, which are tantamount to a tax on being ill.

“I was delighted to receive the Peter Bates’ response, which indicated there will be an immediate review which would include views from patients and public representatives.

“He has promised to let me know the outcome when the review is completed.

Mr Bates said patients’ travel costs to and from hospital was an important issue.

“The review will commence immediately and will include views from patient/public representatives,” he said.

“In relation to parent awareness of assistance with travel costs available within the acute services division, there are notices throughout hospitals to inform patients of the assistance available.

“In addition, the newly revised patient information leaflet, ‘Going to hospital’, also provides information on assistance with travel costs.”

Ms Robison also wrote to health minister Andy Kerr on the subject.

Mr Kerr told her the Executive presently has no plans to exempt cancer patients from parking charges, and that the matter is entirely in the hands of the NHS boards.

But he made it clear that Executive guidance stressed boards should not be motivated by a desire to generate income, and charges could be justified only to cover the cost of providing new or improved facilities.

Concessionary rates

The guidance also states that where car parking charges have been introduced, consideration should be given to making concessionary rates available to certain categories of patients, such as those who attend regularly for dialysis, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

“Until now, NHS Tayside have not done this, and as parking charges at Ninewells have steadily increased, patients who have to attend hospital regularly have seen their costs spiral,” Ms Robison said.

“I only hope that some sense is brought to bear on this situation, and that people in this situation can be spared this financial burden.”

Macmillan’s report, “Free At The Point Of Delivery?”, points out that the side effects of cancer treatment mean patients often have to give up work and live on a low income.

This means patients are often forced to make a choice between finding the money for travel to hospital and basics such as food, clothing and household bills.

Macmillan said that as more people were being treated as day patients, the NHS was saving £200 per patient per day — but the financial burden had shifted to people in the form of increased travel costs.

NHS Tayside said it does reimburse some patients for travel expenses.

If any patient is in receipt of income support or has an NHS travel exemption card, they are automatically reimbursed travel expenses for public transport or car mileage.

Those on a low income can apply to the benefits unit in Newcastle.