Resident up in arms about Union Hospital’s new parking tariffs
Hospital reply about the increase in parking tariffs.
AN Albertonion recently complained about the Union Hospital’s new parking tariffs.
“I was recently a patient and found their new parking tariffs ridiculously expensive. I think it’s disgusting that they charge the patients and visitors so much for parking. I would really like to know what hospital management’s reason is for increasing the parking tariffs,” said the resident who wishes to stay anonymous.
The RECORD received the following from Netcare’s general manager, Esmé Abrahams:
Thank you for bringing the concerns of your reader to our attention.
Netcare took the decision last year, after much consideration, to introduce paid parking at its hospital premises. We believe it is important to make convenient, safe and secure parking available for our patients and visitors, particularly those who are elderly or frail, and the system that we have introduced contributes positively to this.
Following a review earlier this year of the parking tariffs, the decision was taken to revise and decrease the tariffs in order to better serve the needs of patients and visitors. The tariff change was implemented on May 1, 2018, and notice boards, for example at the entrance to the hospital premises and the pay station, were updated at the time to reflect the latest parking tariffs. The photograph submitted to us was clearly taken before May 1.
Parking fees are staggered according to the length of time people use the parking facilities, with a certain period free of charge, and the period of free parking has been doubled in the new tariff structure. Thereafter parking is charged on a sliding scale approach, and the tariffs for these have also been reduced. There is also a 20 minute grace period from payment to exit.
Patients with certain chronic conditions who need to visit the hospital on a regular, on-going basis for treatment, for example, those undergoing chemotherapy and renal dialysis, are exempt from paid parking. We encourage our patients to visit the management office at the hospital in order to be afforded this exemption.
“In our view, these fees are aligned with industry standards and we believe that the enhanced safety and security brought about by this project will on balance achieve a better overall experience for people visiting our hospital.”
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