Downe parking charges delayed for 12 months

Downe parking charges delayed for 12 months

20 July 2016

HEALTH chiefs have no plans to introduce parking charges at the Downe Hospital until next year at the earliest.

And they have also 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 confirmation has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie who said the Downpatrick hospital is “unique” in that it houses GP surgeries alongside medical and clinical specialities. She said there had been concern that car parking charges would deter people from attending appointments and affect preventative care.

“I am pleased that when charges are introduced at the Downe that the public will be able to use the car park for no cost for two hours, before a concessionary daily rate is rolled out. In respect of the nearby Downshire Hospital, which is often used for events in the evenings and weekends, there will no charge for patrons,” explained the MP.

“A number of patients will also be exempt from any charge at any time at the Downe and this includes those attending for radiotherapy/chemotherapy, renal dialysis, critical care/high dependency and relatives of long stay patients.”

Miss Ritchie said that having spoken to senior South Eastern Trust officials, there are no plans to implement any form of charging this financial year, adding: “While I remain opposed to any form of car park charging at the Downe site, these mitigating measures should be welcomed.”

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.

Trust officials insist traffic management duties at its various sites will be the responsibility of its staff and that 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.