Cairns patient highlights urgent need for improved staff and visitor parking at hospital

A recent Cairns Hospital patient has joined calls for improved parking after his wife feared getting a parking fine as staff saved his life.

A recent patient, whose life was saved by Cairns Hospital staff, has joined the call for improved parking and security measures for both public and staff. Picture: Brendan Radke

A recent Cairns Hospital patient has joined calls for improved parking after his wife feared getting a parking fine as staff saved his life.

Yorkeys Cleaning Services owner Paul Milnes and his wife rushed to Cairns Hospital after his appendix burst in early May.

Mr Milnes said he was grateful to the team who “saved his life”, but his experience with parking and safety was “disheartening”.

“I am immensely grateful to the hospital team who basically helped save my life,” he said.

However, Mr Milnes said his wife was forced to worry about avoiding a parking fine while he was waiting for surgery.

“Tell me why we should be concerned about this at such a time?” he said.

Any given week between 1600-1700 patients are coming to or staying at Cairns Hospital. Picture: Brendan Radke

Now, he is urging Cairns Regional Council and the state government to become part of the conversation and take immediate action to address these issues.

“It should not be difficult to provide free parking permits for staff, nurses and essential personnel, given the critical nature of their work,” Mr Milnes said.

He also wants increased security presence in parking areas to protect staff.

“Our healthcare workers and staff are the true heroes. They should be treated as such, not as sources of revenue or targets of violence,” he said.

The Cairns Post launched Operation Safe Zone in May, calling for additional off-site staff parking, including a free shuttle service for workers beyond the five-seater Nissan trail currently being offered.

The hospital recently announced an additional 100 carparks to be available soon as long-term plans including a new lot within six to eight months, and a multi-storey carpark as part of a masterplan.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service offers a free shuttle service to take staff to cars parked around the hospital and security guards to walk them to their cars.

But staff say it isn’t enough and that neither measure is available frequently.

Both Barron River MP Bree James and Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan were contacted by Mr Milnes seeking their assistance on plans to aid the hospital with a solution.

Cairns Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan said Cairns Regional Council maintained this issue is solely for CHHHS to resolve. Picture: Brendan Radke

Barron River MP Bree James said health staff deserve far more support and consideration. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Milnes received an email from Ms James on May 12, stating the seriousness of the situation and promising a thorough review of the issues.

“It’s concerning to hear, during such a critical moment, your wife was burdened with the added stress of avoiding a parking fine,” the email said.

“The dedication of healthcare staff — especially in lifesaving circumstances like yours — deserves far more support and consideration.

“These are important issues, and we are committed to reviewing them thoroughly.”

However, Cairns Regional Council maintained this issue was solely for CHHHS to resolve and declined to comment further when asked by the Cairns Post.

Ms Coghlan wrote to Mr Milnes on June 5 stating, “There is no easy answer”, however, said she was happy to chat with him further about the issue.

Member for Cairns, Michael Healy, said security guards at the hospital should be able to protect the building and all staff at all times. Picture: Samuel Davis

Cairns MP Michael Healy said the state government should be doing more to protect essential workers.
“For a government that prides itself on cutting red tape, here’s an example. Why aren’t they doing that?” Mr Healy said.

“We need practical solutions and the most practical is to have either police or security officers or guards accompany staff to their vehicles.”

Mr Healy said he wanted a bigger bus to be supplied to hospital workers instead of the current five-seat car and more powers given to security officers when escorting staff off site.
“Our frontline health workers are absolutely key and fundamental to our community. Anywhere they’re being threatened needs to be a high priority,” he said.

It is understood Queensland Health is responsible for determining the legislation on what security guards can or cannot do.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital confirmed the hospital has 35.5 full-time equivalent security officers, who are rostered across shifts 24/7, 365 days per year.

An extra 4.5 full-time equivalent of security staff was added in mid 2024.

Originally published as Cairns patient highlights urgent need for improved staff and visitor parking at hospital