30 per cent discount for hospital carparking not enough, according to Gold Coasters

GOLD Coasters are up in arms about new hospital parking discounts of 30 per cent, which they say don’t go far enough to help families of ill patients.

A vehicle enters the Secure parking at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

GOLD Coasters say new discount parking rates for pensioners, seniors, carers and some patients at Gold Coast University and Robina hospitals aren’t enough.

The new rates, which came into effect yesterday, will see eligible patients and primary carers receive $5 off the maximum daily parking rate of $16.50 – a discount of roughly 30 per cent – at GCUH and $2 off the maximum daily rate of $5 at Robina.

The discount will apply to patients who need to attend two or more times a week for specialist treatment, extended admission, palliative, coronary and intensive care, children’s critical care, rehab, cancer, haematology, renal dialysis and newborn intensive care.

Pay machine at the GCUH.

The outside of the parking area at GCUH.

However, patients and visitors took to Facebook to say the discounts weren’t enough and that parking should be free.

“It is ridiculous that family of dying patients should be charged for parking,” Lynette Sumner posted.

Most hospitals with paid parking are managed by commercial operators under contracts, some of which have been in place for many years.

‘Not a win,’ say Gold Coast residents of the discount.

Ben Bridges said the discount wasn’t a win and claimed the fees were still too much.

“It’s a shame a 30 per cent discount is touted as a victory when the State Government, who should be serving the people of the State, have sold it off to private hands for them to make a ripper profit,” he said.

Tate Crocker said he and his partner had just welcomed a baby, delivered at GCUH.

Cars parked at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

“We probably spent about $100 on parking for my wife’s check ups previous to the birth and including a few days following,” he said. “I can only imagine how difficult this would be for the sick or elderly with the ongoing costs. It’s typical government short sightedness. Rather than keep it owned by the government (us) and making a fair profit, just on sell it to the highest bidder.”

The discount parking rates don’t apply to ‘ad hoc’ or infrequent visits to the hospital that do not meet at least one of the eligibility requirements.

The discount only applies to those who visit more than twice a week.

Claimants have to fill in an application form and submit it to the relevant ward clerk, social worker, inpatient department or nurse unit manager.

Once the application form has been approved, GCUH claimants will have to present it at front reception to collect a single-use follow-on ticket.

That ticket can then be inserted at the auto pay station after the parking ticket so the concession rate can be applied.

Claimants at Robina will have to present their completed form to the parking office or reception to get their parking ticket validated before paying.

Originally published as 30 per cent discount for hospital carparking not enough, according to Gold Coasters