A GP practice in Kent has decided to introduce car parking charges for its patients to ensure it remains viable.
Whitstable Medical Practice, which runs three medical centres, said it had ‘no choice’ but to take the ‘difficult and regrettable’ decision to charge patients £1 per visit to all its sites to fund a new car park.
In a letter to patients, the practice explained that since Estuary View Medical Centre’s construction there have been 90 free car parking spaces on land owned by developer Graham Land & Developments.
But this arrangement will end this year as building work, for which planning permission has been granted, is due to commence this summer.
This means that the practice has to fund a new car park for patients and staff which will cost £1.25m, with the entire cost falling on the practice.
The practice said that without replacement of the lost parking, Estuary View would become ‘unviable as a medical facility’, as 96% of patients travel to the site by car, but that the practice does not have the money to fund it.
The letter added: ‘Therefore, in order to protect parking for patient use and in order to fund the vital new parking spaces needed, we will be introducing a small charge of £1 which will cover patients for up to four hours of parking.
‘In order to ensure the survival of Estuary View and the continued provision of services for patients, we have had to make plans to purchase an additional plot of grassland to the outskirts of the business park.
‘This will be turned into a staff and patient overflow car park at the cost of £1.25m, money we simply do not have.
‘We have explored every possible avenue for funding support, including with the NHS, local authority and local charities, but no help is available to us.’
The practice also said that it has become ‘increasingly aware’ of members of the public ‘misusing’ car parks across all sites, and this was another reason to introduce the charge.
‘This is increasing pressures on parking and taking space away from vulnerable patients who need access to medical care,’ it added.
There will be a 10-minute grace period to ensure those being dropped off are free from charges, as well as exemptions for blue badge holders, who will be able to scan badges at the machines to obtain free parking.
The charges will be introduced this month at Chestfield Medical Centre, with the other medical centres to follow.
According to the letter, only one of the housing developments currently under construction in Whitstable has had to provide developer funding for healthcare, and the contribution the practice is due to receive from one developer cannot be spent to assist with parking problems.
It added: ‘This decision has not been taken lightly and we would have preferred to be in a position to continue to offer everyone free parking. We have made every effort to keep this charge as low as possible and ensure minimal disruption.
‘While we would have preferred to continue offering free parking, this change is necessary to maintain high-quality healthcare services at our practice.’
The RCGP has previously called on the Government to invest £2bn into GP premises, after a survey found that 40% of GP staff think their premises are ‘not fit for purpose’.
As part of the Autumn Budget last year, the chancellor announced a £100m capital funding pot which is ‘earmarked’ for 200 GP estates upgrades.
And last month, an MP warned that the restrictions local planning authorities face have caused a deficit of GP surgeries.
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Will the new acquired land become a financial asset in the practice accounts; and perhaps increase in value over time? Also, how much would a business loan be, when it is divided by lots of partners? Makes you think what are the economies of scale these days? 1.25million pounds is perhaps an overcharge; perhaps this could cost a lot less and with more guarantees of the longevity of the car park; maybe even invest in a cafeteria, health-food shop or other useful additional money-making amenities on the new land depending on footfall at the car park. This could become a much bigger money-spinner for the partners. Offer the council part of the proceeds to be spent on ‘well-being’ projects if they contribute at the start, to entice them. Bon Chance.
Surely they should be encouraging their patients to be more active by walking or cycling. Are they competing for patients with someone? Most practices are not short of work. I wouldn’t be investing in a car park. Unless they can also make loads at weekends from it.
Planners could have, and possibly should have, made provision of a car park for patients and users of other services, a requirement before the construction of residential or commercial properties in the area. it is County Council/town and community planners’ fault.
Even at £1 not a viable proposition should hand back contract then maybe icb and nhs England would take note