Patients, workers and guests could possibly be having fun with free parking in any respect rural and regional NSW public hospitals from July 1, in a brand new election promise the federal government will announce on Wednesday.
While parking at most public hospitals outdoors of Greater Sydney is free, parking charges at these hospitals can nonetheless rival inner-city costs.
At Wollongong Hospital on the state’s south coast, guests and sufferers cop a $20.20 charge for parking stays over 5 hours, rivalling Sydney costs. Stays from quarter-hour to an hour prices $6.80.
At Lismore Base Hospital within the state’s north, 4 hours or extra parking incurs a $8.60 charge, whereas quarter-hour to an hour prices $3.50.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole, who will announce the coverage on Wednesday, mentioned it was a welcome initiative for regional residents who’re pressured to journey additional for healthcare.
“The last thing patients, their loved ones and staff need is to carry the extra burden of forking out money to park when they arrive – especially when they don’t pay for parking elsewhere in that community,” Mr Toole mentioned.
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor mentioned it was a “sensible, targeted” initiative to ease “specific cost of living pressures faced by people in rural and regional NSW”.
“While we are investing in more and more public transport in our regions, driving is often the only option for many when it comes to visiting our nearest and dearest in hospital,” Ms Taylor mentioned.
“From establishing the $250m Regional Seniors Travel Card, to investing $149.5m into the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme, this government is committed to easing the costs associated with travel in the regions.”
In Sydney, the Sydney Eye Hospital within the CBD instructions the very best parking charges for a public establishment. Fees balloon to $66 for over three hours of parking, or $9 for stints underneath half-hour.
During Covid-19, all NSW Health workers got free parking at public hospitals whereas social distancing restrictions had been in place. These concessions had been eliminated in April 2021.
Originally printed as Coalition promising free parking in any respect regional, rural hospitals
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
