‘Hair brained’ car parking criticised

‘Hair brained’ car parking criticised

31 December 2014

POLITICIANS have called on the South Eastern Trust to concentrate on delivering frontline services rather than introducing “hair-brained” parking charge schemes at two Downpatrick hospitals.

Trust officials are currently consulting on plans to introduce charges at the Downe and Downshire hospitals and are holding a public meeting in the town on January 12 to let local people have their say.

The Trust proposal has been criticised by members of Down Council’s Health Committee who have laughed off claims that any money generated from the scheme will be invested in patient care.

Politicians argue that given the management costs associated with the proposal that virtually no money will go towards improving patient care. The charges will apply to staff, patients and visitors and people attending two GP clinics based on the first floor of the Downe.

Car parking charges are already in force at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and Trust officials are now proposing to roll these out to the Downe, Lagan Valley and Ards hospital sites.

It’s understood if charges are implemented at the Downshire site, they will not apply to car parks used by Down Council or the Housing Executive.

Health chiefs say they aim to provide “long term, safe, secure and affordable car parking” across all Trust sites but their assertion has cut little ice with local politicians.

Council chairman, Billy Walker, said he is unaware of any problems at the Downe Hospital car park, suggesting the rationale being used to introduce parking charges is “bland.”

He said while it’s recognised there are problems at the Ulster Hospital car park, the situation could be eased if some services were relocated from there to the Downe where there is no pressure on parking.

“Down Council is totally opposed to introducing parking charges at both the Downe and Downshire sites. I do not believe this scheme will result in one penny going towards patient care, given the costs associated with managing it,” said councillor Walker.

“My question to health chiefs is a simple one. Who are you trying to kid? Health administrators would be better off spending more time delivering services at the Downe Hospital rather than concentrating on hair-brained ideas like this. 

“Introducing these charges is unjustifiable.”