Minister for Health orders national review of hospital parking charges

The Minister for Health has ordered a national review of hospital car parking charges.

Cavan General Hospital charges €3 each time a car passes the exit barrier; meaning the flat charge applies whether the motorist intends staying 10 minutes or two days. The charge is also applied even if there were no car parking spaces available.

Minister Simon Harris said: “I have heard from many patients, as well as groups such as the Irish Cancer Society, in relation to car parking charges in our hospitals and the 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. However, I want to make sure that we have national guidelines in place to inform practice in hospital parking charges around the country.

“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. 

“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.

“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.”

 

Cancer Society

The Irish Cancer Society welcomed the review and the Minister's commitment to establish new national guidelines to inform practice in hospital car parking charges around the country. 

"The Society consistently hears from cancer patients about the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and we have, for some time, called for national guidelines for car parking in hospitals. We welcome the opportunity to engage with the Minister and the HSE to find solutions which take into account the needs of patients who are required to regularly visit our hospitals for cancer treatment. We will work to ensure early adoption of new patient focused car parking charges," a spokesperson for he society said.