§ Mr. Charles ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues to ensure that new hospitals are accessible to patients, visitors and staff by public transport(a) with regular frequency, (b) for 24-hours a day and (c) at a reasonable price. [4520]
§ Mr. MilburnThe policy on access by public transport is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions which produces guidance for local authorities. It is for the local authorities to interpret the guidance when considering planning applications by National Health Service trusts for new hospital sites.
Guidance issued by NHS Estates, an Agency of the Department of Health, advises NHS bodies to provide facilities in a way which allows them to be accessible to patients and draws to their attention the need to consider access, circulation and vehicle parking, highlighting the need for a good public transport service to meet the needs of staff, patients and visitors, with the aim of reducing demand upon, and the expense of, car parking facilities.