Parking fees at Victorian hospitals revealed

Patients at Victoria’s hospitals and their families are being forced to pay as much as $60 a day to visit, with parking fees skyhigh across Melbourne.

Epworth Freemasons has the highest hospital parking fees in Victoria.

Patients and their loved ones are being slugged up to $60 a day to park near a hospital, new data can reveal.

The most premium parking is at the Epworth Freemasons, in East Melbourne, where drivers can be slammed $60 for eight hours of parking.

Another expensive option is the Box Hill Hospital where $40 will get you eight hours of parking.

Much cheaper rates can be found in regional Victoria, with most hospital parking options being free of charge.

Michael Leong has been visiting his wife in The Alfred hospital for two years as she battles cancer.

“If I want to come visit my wife, the costs can really add up,” he said.

“Taking public transport is just too far for me, so I can only really drive when she is being treated closer to the city.”

Mr Leong works full time but often takes time off work to visit his wife.

“It’s already expensive enough with all the medical bills and time off work,” he said.

“Any cost relief would be so helpful for me.

“Sometimes when I am visiting her I have to keep an eye on the clock to go move my car so it’s cheaper and I don’t get a ticket.”

At the Austin Hospital patients are charged up to $30 for eight hours of parking.

“Revenue is used to provide appropriate parking infrastructure and improve patient care,” a hospital spokeswoman said.

“We offer concession rates for eligible patients and visitors based on length of admission, frequency of attendance and financial hardship.”

Other hospitals were contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.

Originally published as Parking fees at Victorian hospitals revealed