Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital car park fees to rise - again

CAR parking prices at one of Brisbane’s busiest hospitals are set to increase from next month, with opponents saying the rise will be a “significant financial burden” for many families.

CAR parking prices at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital will go up from October 2.

In a letter to patients, families and victors the hospital advised that the Mater Health Services had made changes to the pricing structure for public car parking that would come into effect from Tuesday, 2 October 2018.

The cost of all-day parking will increase from $30 per day to $35 per day and the cost of parking for between two to three hours will go from $23 to $24.

“We appreciate and acknowledge that the cost of car parking is a real concern for many families and visitors, and CHQ is committed to improving access and affordability of parking,” the letter said.

Car parking fees at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital will increase from October. Picture: Tara Croser.

“Families experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for parking assistance, such as concessional parking or free public transport. We have a policy in place for concessional parking at a rate of $12 per day for parents, carers and families, where there is evident financial or social need.”

Rural health advocate Justine Christensen said for any patient parking costs had a huge impact on their family budget.

“Especially for those staying at Ronald McDonald House they don’t access to free parking so they rely on parking there… $35 per day over a week stay is a significant financial burden,” she said

“For those travelling in from rural and regional areas they are already under massive financial pressure, this just makes it worse.”

The car park at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital. Picture: Tara Croser.

In March, Health Minister Steven Miles said hospital car parks would no longer be built by private operators following outcry over exorbitant parking fees for sick patients and visitors.

He acknowledged fees from commercial car park operators were expensive and unfair on users and vowed that all future hospital car parks would be built by the State Government.

“We can deliver car parks for better value for taxpayers and cheaper car parking rates for patients,” Mr Miles said at the time.