Free hospital parking's high cost

Ninewells is one of the few hospitals where fees will not be scrapped

It would cost "tens of millions" of pounds to buy out a PFI contract at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital to remove parking charges, it has emerged.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the figure in response to a question in parliament by a city MSP.

Ms Sturgeon announced last week fees were being scrapped at NHS hospitals - but not at Ninewells and Glasgow and Edinburgh Royal Infirmaries.

Health boards have been asked to talk with PFI providers about reductions.

SNP backbencher Joe FitzPatrick asked Ms Sturgeon what action could be taken by the government.

The Dundee West MSP said: "I understand the cost of buying out the PFI contract at Ninewells could be up to 30 million public pounds."

Mr FitzPatrick and the SNP have failed to stand up for Dundee on this, a simple issue of fairness Jim McGovern Dundee West MP

He called on Ms Sturgeon to confirm the size of the "financial noose" that the previous administration's PFI contract had placed round NHS Tayside.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It would cost tens of millions of pounds to escape from the PFI contract at Ninewells that was imposed by the last Labour administration."

She added: "Make no mistake every single person who has to pay car parking charges at Ninewells hospital is suffering the legacy of Labour's obsession with privatising our NHS."

But Labour's Westminster MP for Dundee West Jim McGovern later accused Mr FitzPatrick of "playing politics" with the issue and accused the SNP of discriminating against hospitals, including Ninewells, where charges remain.

He said: "Many of the patients, visitors and staff we have talked to have expressed their disappointment.

"They feel let down and frustrated that they are being penalised for working or receiving their treatment in Dundee."

He added: "Mr FitzPatrick and the SNP have failed to stand up for Dundee on this, a simple issue of fairness."