Hospital management can fix this problem

WE all agree that the changes to the structures of the healthcare system in this country over the past number of years have not been successful.

Few would argue over that point, whether they are political, non-political, from trade unions or just ordinary members of the public who use the services of our hospitals.

However one of the most miserly changes over time has been the introduction of parking charges at our hospitals.

Yes I know that there are probably logical, practical reasons why the parking charges had to be introduced, such as the limitations of space and to avoid people filling up carparks by parking there all day long.

But the imposition of parking charges is an additional cost on patients and their families at a difficult time in their lives.

Does it really generate that much revenue, given the scale of finance required to run our hospitals?

Still if you are visiting hospital for regular medical appointments or visiting a relative who is an inpatient in hospital, the cost of parking charges can really run up.

Cancer patients and their families and carers are facing this additional stress due to the high cost of parking in Our Lady of Lourdes car parks.

Louth County Council have said they will now write to the hospital asking for free parking for all ‘frequent treatment users’.

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital raised almost €500,000 from parking charges in 2015 and 2016. Patients facing a four hour stay in the short term car park at Our Lady of Lourdes will pay €15, while at the Crosslane Car Park, patients face a charge of €9 for the same period.

The issue has been raised several times previously and Louth County Councillor Pio Smith has stated that it is within the remit of management within the Lourdes hospital to offer multi – passes to cancer patients that allow people to come and go within the same day without incurring higher charges than the daily maximum rate, or offer a reduced weekly rate to families who are visiting a patient who is facing a longer stay in hospital.

It should not be that difficult for hospital management to devise a system with smart cards or ticketing that allows families of in-patients to avail of a discounted parking fee, with similar arrangements for patients who are facing a course of regular out-patient treatment or appointments.

All that is required is a willingness for hospital management to do so, where there is a will there is a way and it a solution would relieve some stress at a difficult time.