Hospital car parking charges should be lessened for cancer patients according to Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon. He was speaking as the Minister for Health, Simon Harris has ordered a national review of hospital car parking charges.
“Fine Gael is tackling the issues that matter most and it is only right that patients, who are constantly using car parking facilities at our hospitals, are treated fairly.”
“It is hard enough for any patient attending a hospital to go through their own health difficulties or procedures. We in Fine Gael are determined to ensure that everything possible will be done to lessen their hardship.
“I don’t think there is anyone in my constituency that does not have a family member or know someone who is regularly receiving treatment for cancer. Should they need to visit hospitals regularly, it should be in as reasonable a manner as possible. Cancer patients suffer enough distress without anything else adding to their worries.
“This is the first time that the car parking hospital issue has been tackled and I fully support the Health Minister in his efforts on this costly subject.
“Minister Harris has asked the HSE to carry out a review of hospital car parking charges, with the aim of establishing clear national guidelines. He has also 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.