Car parking at Downe remains free for now

Car parking at Downe remains free for now

1 July 2015

CAR parking charges are unlikely to be introduced at the Downe Hospital for another two years.

The South Eastern Trust has confirmed that when charges are eventually introduced, there will be no fee for the first two hours after which a concessionary fee will apply as the hospital is located in a rural area.

The Department of Health has directed all the Province’s health trusts to introduce car parking charges where they do not currently apply. People using the car park at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald have to pay to park, but there is currently no fee charged to park at the Ards and Lagan Valley hospitals which are the responsibility of the South Eastern Trust.

This has created a major issue for health chiefs, with members of the public using the hospital car parks in Newtownards and Lisburn which significantly reduces the number of spaces available for patients and visitors.

Health chiefs are keen for charges to be introduced at both hospitals to deter all-day parkers, but there is no immediate plan to introduce charges at the Downe.

They have confirmed charges will not be introduced at the Downpatrick hospital in the current financial year and “maybe not next year either.”

The news comes after the Trust published a summary of its public consultation exercise held to discuss its plans to introduce charges as part of a new traffic management at its various sites.

A total of 217 questionnaires were received, with the majority (164) from staff. Forty six individuals completed questionnaires alongside three organisations, with the former Down Council and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie also responding.

Health chiefs say they recognise the strength of feeling on the introduction of charges at the Downe and Downshire sites in Downpatrick, explaining charging would enable the provision of security measures not currently available.

The location of two GP surgeries at the Downe gave rise to concerns that people visiting their doctor would have to pay. Trust officials say they have taken the concern on board and are considering “exemptions for GP attendances.”

Trust officials insist traffic management duties at its various sites will be the responsibility of its staff with long stay dementia patients at the Downshire hospital site benefiting from a proposed parking charge exemption.

The introduction of charges is not designed to make money, with health officials making it clear that any surplus cash will be reinvested in services. They say the parking rates will be considered by the organisation’s management board, with the Trust considering what measures will mitigate the impact of charges on rural communities and GP practices.