TRAVEL COSTS FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Early day motion 959, tabled 22 February 2007 by Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 67 members.

That this House is concerned that 92 per cent. of hospitals in England, 53 per cent. of hospitals in Wales, 20 per cent. of hospitals in Northern Ireland and 6 per cent. of hospitals in Scotland charge for parking; notes that six out of 10 hospitals in the UK do not provide concessions for cancer patients; further notes that, on average, cancer patients travel 53 times for treatment, spending an average of £325 on travel and parking charges; is aware that since December 2006, anyone with a cancer diagnosis is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, which imposes a Disability Equality Duty on all public bodies; joins with Macmillan Cancer Support in calling for all hospitals in the UK to carry out a Disability Impact Assessment to ensure they comply with the new Disability Equality Duty; and urges hospitals to consider giving cancer patients, and other disabled patients who regularly travel to hospital for treatment, a voucher to exempt them from car parking charges.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 11, DUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 1.