Minister orders national review of hospital car parking charges
By Mary Dennehy
THE MINISTER for Health has ordered a national review of hospital car parking charges, after a lengthy campaign by various patient advocacy groups.
Last March, The Echo reported on a document published by the Irish Cancer Society called Park the Charges – which called on hospitals nationwide, including Tallaght, to introduce free parking for cancer patients.
Tallaght Hospital has welcomed the car parking charges review
Calls have also been made by other advocacy groups and members of the wider public, who believe that hospital car parking charges place an expensive burden on patients and their families.
In recent days, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris has ordered a national review of hospital car parking charges – with the HSE working with patient advocacy groups to devise national guidelines.
“I have now asked the HSE to carry out a review of hospital car parking charges, with the aim of establishing clear national guidelines on this area for the first time”, Minister Harris said.
“I have asked the HSE to engage with the Irish Cancer Society and other patient advocacy groups, in order to ensure that the review takes account of the circumstances of patients, particularly those who require long-term care.”
Tallaght University Hospital has in the past been highlighted as one health facility with expensive parking charges.
However, the hospital has told The Echo that its parking charges are “in line” with those of other large teaching hospitals in Dublin.
Local Fine Gael councillor Brian Lawlor told The Echo that Tallaght Hospital is one of the “most expensive car parks” in Dublin.
“This review will examine existing arrangements within hospitals, the financial impact of parking charges on patients and families, the data in relation to the income generated from these charges, and any other factors”, Cllr Lawlor said.
“I hope the review means a reduction in charges for patients, outpatients and visitors to Tallaght Hospital, who I think have enough to be worrying about without the added pressure of being charged excessive prices while visiting loved ones.”
According to Fianna Fail TD, John Curran the car parking fees for cancer patients at Tallaght University Hospital also need to be examined.
Believing that it is time for the HSE to regulate hospital car parking fees, Deputy Curran said: “Car parking charges represent a huge cost for many cancer patients undergoing treatment at a time of complex need and financial pressure.
“I acknowledge that these charges are a huge source of revenue for many hospitals.
“However, the excessive rates charged at some hospitals place an unnecessary strain on cancer patients and their families.
“Public transport when going to or from treatment is simply not viable and the passes available at Tallaght are still an added cost.”
While many, including Deputy Curran and Cllr Lawlor, believed that Tallaght University Hospital charged €10 for a four-hour stay, the hospital has confirmed to The Echo that it charges €10 for a 24-hour stay.
When contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for Tallaght Hospital said: “Tallaght University Hospital welcomes the national car parking charges review.
“The hospital operates a 24-hour car parking pass for €10, a flexible day pass with multiple entries and exits in one day for €12.50 and an entry pass that can be used six times within a three month period for €25.
“This [€25 pass] is geared towards those patients presenting regularly for treatment and is a very progressive step as it limits a customer’s total expenditure to €25 in 3 months for 6 visits.”
The hospital added: “Additionally, there are 10 free surface disabled use car parking spaces near the front of the hospital for use by the public.”
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