A South West acute hospital car park
A CHARGE of 70p per hour is to be implemented at a new multi-storey carpark at the South West Acute Hospital – and the news has been met with strong opposition from the Fermanagh Trade Union Council.
The charges are expected to be introduced within the next couple of weeks.
The new carpark, which will give way to 143 new spaces, is part of an agreement made by the Western Trust that there would be 236 chargeable car parking spaces at the hospital.
Some of the remaining chargeable spaces (49) are at the Emergency Department, and users of this are currently charged. 70 per cent of the overall spaces are free.
This news has been met with opposition from Mairead Stewart, secretary of Fermanagh Council of Trade Unions, who in a letter, said: “Treatmeant in the NHS should always remain free to public. No public staff within the NHS should be made to pay care parking charges.”
She added: “You will be given the excuses that other hospitals have to do it, but this is not reason enough. Do not be complacent over this as we all never know when we will unexpectedly have to use these services.”
A spokesman from the Western Trust said: “The Trust is developing a carpark management procedure to ensure the hospital site is safe and accessible for all users and once finalised a date will be agreed as to when parking charges will be extended beyond the Emergency Department.”
He added: “The 70p charge applies across the Western Trust acute hospital sites incorporating Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital.”
And Ms Stewart concluded: “If we allow charges to creep in it will only be the start and they will bring them in measures that you will not really notice until it impacts on you personally.”
Town Hall up in arms over ‘scandalous’ charges
LOCAL councillors are up in arms about proposed charges of £5.60 per day for parking at the South West Acute Hospital, with one even suggesting it would be cheaper at park at Belfast International Airport and others calling it ‘ridiculous’ and ‘scandalous’.
UUP councillor Raymond Farrell explained he had been approached by staff and visitors to the hospital who had relayed concerns.
“I think for a great many people, attending a hospital is a particularly stressful event be that for tests or even in visiting a friend or loved one.
The stress of wondering if one has the correct change never mind the fear of being delayed and getting clamped is just to much to think about.
“I think also the rushing of a visit to accomodate financial pressure is a very real anxiety for people today as well.
“Staff are also telling me of their anxiety at having to potentially pay for their weekly parking if their are no free parking spaces available.
“I really question the need as to why parking charges are really necessary. The hospital is out of town and the risk of it being abused as does happen in other hospitals is greatly reduced.
“I would urge the Trust to reflect on this in these difficult economic times for us all.”
Sinn Fein councillor Brian McCaffrey stressed the reliance on cars in a large part of the county not served by a bus service to the hospital. “To charge people is ridiculous, we definitely need to write to the Minister to get that postponed until they have adequate carparking facilities which would entail probably putting another level on the mult-storey.”
DUP councillor Alison Brimstone spoke of a friend who had been in the hospital to give birth for 36 hours.
“At 70p an hour that’s quite a rate. You could probably go up and park at the long stay car park at Belfast International airport for less, it’s scandalous.”
It was agreed at Monday’s meeting of the council that a letter be sent to the Health Minister Edwin Poots and the Western Trust opposing any car parking charges.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere