Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care - Buy-out of PFI hospital car parks, 19 August 2021
Dear Convener,
I am writing to provide you with an update on the progress with finding a long-term solution to the issue of PFI hospital car parks.
As a Government, we committed in our first 100 days to take the first steps necessary to abolish the last remaining car parking charges in our hospitals, namely Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Ninewells. I am pleased to update you and confirm that we have not only met that commitment but exceeded it.
I am delighted to confirm that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Tayside have concluded agreements to buyout the PFI car park contracts for the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, respectively. As a result, these car parks have now come under the direct control of the NHS and the Scottish Government’s policy of free hospital car parking for patients, staff and visitors will continue to apply.
Negotiations for NHS Lothian to buyout the PFI car park contract for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh are at an advanced stage with an agreement expected to be reached in the coming months. Car parking charges there remain suspended as a result of an arrangement reached with the PFI operator in March 2020 and they will not be reintroduced.
The Scottish Government has provided the funding for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to complete the buyout of the PFI car park contract at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for £26.3 million. A similar arrangement has been reached for NHS Tayside to buyout of the PFI car park contract at Ninewells in Dundee for £9 million.
Kind Regards
Humza Yousaf
Cabinet Secretary for Heath and Social Care