OPPOSED…Jill Weir
NEW charges for parking at the hospital are to come into play in the next couple of weeks – with a total of 236 spaces now payable.
The latest charges, 187 spaces in the two tier multi-storey car park, have been anticipated since the hospital opened in June 2012 – and will come into play in August.
There are a total of 931 spaces at the car park, with 695 free spaces and 236 that are payable, and the local union representative for the staff based at the hospital has reiterated a total opposition.
It is expected that the spaces will cost 70p per hour.
Jill Weir, of UNISON, who represent health workers here, said:
“At a time of austerity were staff, and also the local community are faced with ever-increasing costs and hardship, this is not the time for adding another charge
“We believe the NHS should remain free to all.
“The charges of 70p an hour are not in keeping with the Fermanagh community, this means it is more expensive to park when you are ill than when you want to go to the local shops.”
She said that following a recent staff survey ‘the vast majority’ are ‘totally opposed to car parking charges for anyone’.
“I have been given no assurances that all staff will have a parking space, so this may in fact result in some staff having to pay to come to work.”
A Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) spokesperson said: “In June 2012 the Western Health and Social Care Trust Board approved the introduction of charging for 236 spaces at the South West Acute Hospital, 49 in the Emergency Department (ED) area and the remainder in the main two tier multi-storey car park. The 187 spaces within the two tier multi-storey car park will become chargeable from August.
“The percentage of free to chargeable spaces is in-line with regional car parking guidelines for hospital and health and social care settings.
“Further information will follow in due course.”
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