Fresh update amid calls to issue temporary Blue Badges to some people in NHS queues

The UK Government has been encouraged to consider changing the Blue Badge Scheme to assist people facing extended NHS waits for major surgeries. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns suggested exploring the possibility of GPs being authorised to issue temporary Blue Badges to patients with significant mobility challenges. She also suggested that these badges be reviewed every six months.

Blue Badges assist people with a physical disability or health condition impacting their walking ability by allowing them to park nearer to their destinations. Permit holders, either drivers or passengers, can park free of charge in designated disabled parking spots, and might also be exempt from additional parking restrictions.

In her question to Parliament regarding these badges, Ms Kearns wrote: "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling GPs and hospital consultants to issue temporary blue badges to patients with severe mobility limitations who are experiencing long NHS waiting times for major surgery, with such badges to be reviewed at six-month intervals."

Responding, Simon Lightwood MP clarified that while Blue Badges are meant to help people with different disabilities and health problems, the Government has no plans to change the current system.

According to the Daily Record, he wrote: "The aim of the Blue Badge scheme is to help people with substantial and enduring mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible ('hidden' disabilities to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination. Blue Badges may therefore be awarded to an individual with a disability that is expected to endure in some way for the three-year badge issue period.

"As set out in legislation, the scheme is administered locally by the respective local authority, who are responsible for determining and implementing the administrative, assessment, and enforcement procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation. The Government has no plans to change how the scheme is administered at a local level."

Who automatically qualifies for a Blue Badge?

According to the Government, you will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are over three years old and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can't walk more than 50 metres (a score of eight points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component)
• You receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points for descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
• You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
• You have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels one to eight of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
• You are registered blind (severely sight-impaired)

If your score is outside of 10 points below descriptor E in the 'planning and following journeys' activity of PIP, you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, although it's not guaranteed. This applies even if your score is higher, such as 12. You'll need to provide evidence to support your eligibility, which will be assessed as part of your application.

Other ways you can qualify for a Blue Badge

Others might qualify for a Blue Badge if one or more of the following apply:

• Walking is dangerous to your health and safety
• You struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
• You find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness, or the time it takes
• You regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
• You have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means they always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
• You cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
• You cannot walk at all
• You have a life-limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
• You have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
• You have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means they must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
• You are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
• You frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
• You find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others

How to apply for a Blue Badge

In England, Scotland, and Wales, you can apply for a Blue Badge via GOV.UK. However, if you're in Northern Ireland, the process is different. Click this link for further details.

Getting a Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland, and is free in Wales. Your local council will determine your eligibility once they have all the necessary documentation.

Processing your application can take 12 weeks or longer. If authorities find you don't qualify and you think some facts were missed, you can request a review.