28 March 2018
By Bryan Bermingham
bryan@TheCork.ie
National review must be concluded as quickly as possible
Recently selected Fianna Fáil candidate for Cork East, Cork County Cllr. Padraig O’Sullivan has said that the regulation of car parking charges at public hospitals, with a view to reducing them, must be a priority for the Government.
File Photo: Cllr Padraig O’Sullivan, speaking at a Cobh Municipal District civic reception in January..
Picture: David Keane.
“For the last number of years, there has been a public outcry about the costs of parking at hospitals. In all too many locations, the costs are rising, and they are placing a major financial burden on families visiting their loved ones in hospital or on those receiving regular treatment such as cancer patients.
“At present, the cost of parking at CUH is €2.70 per hour subject to a maximum daily charge of €15.
“Someone attending CUH for chemotherapy could end up paying €108 based on two hours of parking per day over four weeks.
“Recently the Minister for Health, Simon Harris announced a review of parking charges at public hospitals. This is a welcome development, and one I know that is desperately needed.
“The Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Park the Charges’ report recently revealed that cancer patients could be paying up to €63 a week in car parking charges. This is simply unacceptable and unfair.
“Patients living with cancer should be focused on getting better, and should not be unduly worried by the financial implications.
“In addition, people who as a result of their treatment need to visit the hospital regularly to have bloods taken or see a nurse of doctor for check-ups having to fork out hundreds of euro every year for parking.
“The review needs to be concluded as quickly as possible as every week delayed is another week of excessive parking charges for patients and their loved ones.
“Clear national guidelines on car parking fees in hospitals are required. However, we need to see reductions in the overall cost to patients, and in particular, cancer patients,” concluded O’Sullivan.
