The abolition of hospital car parking charges will provide "practical help" for families, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.

She marked the first business day since their abolition on Hogmanay by visiting St John's hospital in Livingston to see how the new regime is working.

"Unfair hospital car parking charges were in effect a tax on ill-health," she said.

"It was clear to me that they had no place in a National Health Service that is free at the point of delivery.

"I'm proud that by getting rid of car parking charges at our hospitals the Scottish Government is helping to restore a principle of making healthcare equally accessible to all of us.

"But this is also a real practical help for families across Scotland. Abolishing charges eases the financial burden at a difficult time."

Health boards have submitted plans for addressing the potential increase in demand, promoting more environmentally-friendly transport and the possible misuse of spaces by commuters or others.

The only exceptions are three car parks operated under private finance initiative contracts at Ninewells in Dundee, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.