Is this the solution to hospital parking nightmare

A lack of parking spaces is causing patients to run late to appointments as they circle the car park

Patients are frustrated by the lack of available parking at Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Heidi Petith

PATIENTS are running late to appointments and visitors are circling crammed car parks all in search of coveted parking spaces at the Base Hospital.

Other hospitals across the state have built multi-storey parking areas or run shuttle services to alleviate the demand on limited space, but with no vacant land in the area the solution in Mackay is not that clear.

A large portion of comments advocated for the development of a multi-level parking facility close to the hospital.

Patients are frustrated by the lack of available parking at Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Heidi Petith

But, some said people living in the residential area might not be too happy with that.

Daily Mercury reader Amanda Aah thinks the solution could be a combination of what other hospitals are doing.

She suggested a multi-level car park could be developed offsite with free buses running between the hospital and park for patients or visitors.

Patients are frustrated by the lack of available parking at Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Heidi Petith

We asked our readers what they thought the best solution would be.

This is what they said:

Amy Phillips: Something needs to be done for sure. Last week I had to drive myself to the ED. And after 45 minutes of driving around I gave up and went to hubby’s work and got him to drop me off.

Adrian Watson: At the Base hospital I caught bus to there on Monday. The streets with cars parked goes back three blocks.

Shannon Marie Smith: Like everyone says, multi-level parking, but do it smart when building, do it where people can still park.

Only the other day I was 20 minutes late for my appointment at the hospital because no parks at all and I needed to be in the area cause I’m pregnant. And I’m going to be pissed off if I’m late for another appointment I have in the morning.

Ronnie Stayt: The hospital used to be surrounded by acres of vacant land, however the powers that be sold it off for residential development, go figure.

Ilona Dey-Murry: The land from the corner of Hume St and Bridge Rd should never have been sold off. Everyone I knew at the time could not understand that stupid move when it happened. It would have easily allowed for building expansion and well planned high rise car parks for many years. Now the only option is for a high rise car park to be squashed in somewhere and constructed while causing major inconvenience and traffic congestion to everyone that uses the hospital, patients, staff and surrounding residents alike. I can’t see residents in the area being happy with an afterthought high rise car park being stuck in ad hoc.