Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has presented the draft Hospital Parking Charges Bill to the Assembly. The bill seeks to delay the start of the Hospital Parking Charges Act (NI) 2022, which bans fees for parking in hospital car parks.

Health and Social Care Trusts have spent four years preparing to implement the 2022 Act. Infrastructure for the changes is expected to be ready. The Act is set to begin on 12 May 2026.

Nesbitt stated the Department of Health faces major funding issues ahead. Ending parking charges would mean losing about £7 million each year. This loss would cut funds for frontline health and social care services from 2026/27 onward, during a time of expected budget shortfalls.

The bill lets the Department of Health pick a new start date for the 2022 Act through regulations. That date must come no later than 12 May 2029. It could happen sooner if finances allow.

Nesbitt noted the bill uses fast-track approval to avoid charges ending briefly then restarting. He said the delay has a limit of three years at most. He plans to remove the charges when conditions permit.