Carol Nolan Calls to Scrap Hospital Parking Fees for Cancer Patients
Carol Nolan raised hospital car parking charges affecting cancer patients and urged the government to abolish them. She argued the charges add unnecessary stress for patients and families and pointed to inconsistent hospital policies, including maternity visiting restrictions.
Call to abolish parking charges
Carol Nolan asked the government to abolish car parking charges for cancer patients, saying these fees put tremendous stress on patients and their families. She described situations where families rush to the car park to move a vehicle to avoid charges - a burden at an already difficult time.
Review history and lack of progress
Nolan noted that the minister at the time called for a review on hospital car parking charges in May 2018 and said it was her understanding there had been no progress since then. She presented that lack of movement on the review as a continuing concern for those affected.
Inconsistencies in hospital practices
She highlighted inconsistency across hospitals, linking parking-charge policies to other variable hospital rules. Nolan also raised maternity visiting restrictions, saying many hospitals have "cruel and harsh restrictions" that prevent partners from being present after birth.
Minister's response and promised follow-up
The minister who responded acknowledged that parking charges can be a real burden and that practices vary around the country. The minister said some hospitals have accommodating systems for frequent visitors and family members but that this is not uniform, and added that the minister responsible will take an interest and come back directly on the matter.
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I wish to raise the issue of the car parking charges at some of our hospitals that are still in place for cancer patients. In May 2018, Minister Harris at the time called for a review on our hospital car parking charges. It is my understanding that there has been no progress since then, but it is an issue that puts tremendous stress on cancer patients and their families. At a time when they are already facing huge difficulties and challenges, you know, for families to have to go rush to the car park to move the car, you know, to avoid charges. It is just unnecessary stress, but it is inconsistency as well, Minister, and we see the same inconsistency in terms of our maternity restrictions in hospitals, where many hospitals have cruel and harsh restrictions in place. Women who are given birth to babies are not allowed their partners. But it is inconsistency in our hospitals, but what I want to ask you is, will the government take action on the car parking charges for cancer patients and abolish them, please? Minister Harris. Thank you very much, Deputy. I certainly acknowledge that parking charges in hospitals can be a real burden on people, sometimes at a very vulnerable time for them. And the practices do vary around the country. Some hospitals, I think, are quite accommodating and have systems in place for frequent visitors and for family members and so on, but that is not uniform. So, Minister Donnelly, I know, is taking an interest in this issue and he will come back to you directly on that. Thank you very much.
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