Hospital parking charges under the spotlight

MINISTER for Health, Simon Harris, ordered a national review of hospital car parking charges last week as disquiet grows over the issue.

The minister said that after hearing from “many patients”, as well as groups such as the Irish Cancer Society, in relation to car parking charges in hospitals, there was a need for national guidelines. 

“I know that some hospitals do take into account the pressure that these charges can put on patients and families who are dealing with illness, particularly long-term illness, and have measures in place to alleviate this pressure,” the minister stated.

“However, I want to make sure that we have national guidelines in place to inform practice in hospital parking charges around the country.”

The minister revealed that he had asked the HSE to carry out a review of hospital car parking charges, with the aim of establishing clear national guidelines for the first time. 

“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,” he said.

“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.

“It is my intention that we will then have clear national guidelines on this area for the very first time.”

Deputy John Curran (FF) raised the issue last week as he said it was time for the HSE to regulate car parking fees in hospitals across the country and particularly in city-based hospitals. 

Deputy Curran referred to The Irish Cancer Society's 'Park the Charges' report in December that revealed that cancer patients could be paying up to €63 a week in car parking charges. 

“Car parking charges represent a huge cost for many cancer patients undergoing treatment at a time of complex need and financial pressure,” Deputy Curran said.

“These are people who are already facing real hardship with additional costs and large drops in income; extortionate car parking fees further add to this. 

“Patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy must be exempt from paying car-parking fees,” he added.

“This practice is currently in place at hospitals such as Mayo General Hospital, St Luke’s, Rathgar, and Wexford General Hospital and needs to be more widely adopted.

“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,” Deputy Curran stated.

Deputy Curran added that this was an important issue that had been brought up “time and time again”.

“We must continue to highlight the financial burden of car parking on patients and their families,” he added.

“Should other hospitals adopt these guidelines and change their pricing policy for cancer patients, it will no doubt alleviate some of the difficulty with managing a long-term and serious illness.”

Aspokesperson for the HSE said hospital car parking charges had been in place for many years and were a means of ensuring that the cost of developing and maintaining car parks do not become a drain on hospital service budgets.

“The Minister for Health has asked the HSE to carry out a review to establish the current arrangements across the hospital sector and with the aim of establishing consistent guidelines for this area,” the spokesperson said.

“The review will involve the relevant stakeholders and will take account of the income generated by charges, the impact of any reduction in car parking income on hospital services and the views of patient advocacy groups, including the Irish Cancer Society.”

The review is expected to be completed by mid 2018.