Free spaces for hospital

Concessional car parks will mean ‘a little less stress’

FAMILIES and patients will be allotted free and discounted car parking at Toowoomba Hospital in the wake of an uproar over parking costs.

The State Government has given $7.5 million over the next four years to make 100,000 free and discounted car parking spaces available each year at Queensland public hospitals.

Toowoomba Hospital is expected to share in those 100,000 car parks.

They will be available from October 1.

Last week, The Chronicle reported on the public’s overwhelming response to a State Government directive to all Queensland Hospital Health Services to develop policies to address car parking costs. Hospitals must present their policies by October 1.

The directive followed a petition launched in April by health advocate Justine Christerson who labelled hospital parking fees “price gouging.”

Parking fees at Toowoomba Hospital range from $2.60 for half an hour to $14 a day.

“I know the cost of car parking is a real concern for many patients, carers and their families,” Health Minister Cameron Dick said yesterday.

“Increasing the number of concessional car parking spaces means that many more people and families in need will have access to accessible and affordable car parking.

“This will mean a little less stress for patients and their families, especially those who find themselves burdened financially by the costs of car parking.

“I want to ensure more concessions are available for those patients and carers who are either experiencing financial hardship, attending hospital for an extended period of time, need to attend hospital frequently or have special needs.”

The concessions will be made available by each hospital to those eligible in the following categories:

• Patients and carers experiencing financial hardship (which may include government concession card holders)

• Patients and carers who need to attend hospital for an extended period of time

• Patients and carers who are required to attend hospital frequently

• Patients and carers with special needs who require assistance