LONDON, February 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Unite, the UK's largest union, is backing a Private Member's Bill that will restore free parking for patients, visitors and staff at all NHS sites in Scotland.

Unite members working in the health service generally work long hours with unpredictable shift patterns and are often required to travel to their place of work by car. Many NHS staff are low paid and do not live in areas that are within a sensible or safe public transport commute to their place of work.

Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, said: NHS staff are often low paid and work unsocial hours. Many have to use their cars to get to work and they should not be penalised because NHS boards are trying to make money.

Forcing visitors to pay parking fees to visit their loved ones is also unfair. Family members often save the NHS money, by transporting patients to and from hospital.

The Private Member's Bill is being introduced by Paul Martin, MSP for Glasgow Springburn and aims to legislate to abolish car parking charges and ensure reasonable, managed, free car parking facilities at all NHS sites.

For further information contact Liane Groves, Unite press officer, on +44(0)7793-661-657 or Gordon Casey, Unite political officer, on +44(0)7798-531021.