As the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out at the Gold Coast University Hospital vaccination hub, there's renewed calls for free parking
Pressure is mounting on health authorities to offer free parking as the COVID vaccine is rolled out. LEARN WHY
Gold Coast
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THERE’S renewed calls for free parking at the Gold Coast University Hospital as tens of thousands of health workers and locals are asked to get COVID vaccinations.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates (pictured) said nurses were the heroes on the frontline fighting to keep the community safe.
“Their focus should be on keeping us safe, not on having to fork out their own money for parking,” she said.
“As the vaccine rolls out and crowds flock to hospitals, the state government’s failure to provide sufficient health infrastructure is costing our nurses.”
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It comes as the Gold Coast Health and Hospital Service (GCHHS) has increased its staffing levels during its response to the COVID pandemic, with an extra 200 full-time equivalent staff members on the books. More will be needed when mass vaccination centres open across the city.
Parker Simmonds Solicitors litigation director Bruce Simmonds said a community-driven campaign was needed to force charges down for already stretched workers.
“Nurses and other hospital staff are being forced to park some distance away and walk to work, often in darkness so their safety is compromised,” he said.
“Over the coming weeks and months the demands on Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) will be greater than ever as thousands rock up for their vaccine jabs.
“The vaccinations are free but we should not have to pay through the nose at the carpark to access the treatment.”
Mr Simmonds has previously called for free parking during COVID-19 lockdowns.
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said people could choose where to have the vaccination: a public hospital, their GP, or a pharmacy.
The hub at GCUH was “initially” being used to deliver the Pfizer vaccine to the priority 1a group, with most health workers based onsite.
“We work closely with the private carparking providers at Queensland’s free public hospitals to ensure staff and patients can access fair and affordable parking,” she said.
“Our hospital carparking concession scheme has already improved the availability and affordability of hospital parking for over 1.4 million Queenslanders since it was introduced in 2017.”
She said Secure Parking, which operates the undercover carpark at GCUH, independently set prices and that GCHHS didn’t get any revenue from car park facilities.
Secure Parking has previously said it takes fee guidance from QH. It is understood that of the 116 Queensland public hospitals, only 14 have paid on-site carparking.
Earlier October 17 - 2020
Queensland Election 2020: The Greens announce new plan for free Gold Coast University Hospital parking
GOLD Coast University Hospital patients and staff will get free parking as part of a new plan to buy up private car parks – but the party behind it can’t provide a price tag for the city.
The Queensland Greens announced the plan ahead of prepoll voting opening on Monday, and it has now been backed by Bonney candidate Amin Javanmard.
The party will buy back every privately owned carpark at public hospitals and establish a $500 million fund to upgrade and expand hospital parking.
The total cost across Queensland will be $323 million over four years, including $268 million to buy back seven privatised car parks and $54 million covering lost revenue from parking fees and rent.
But The Greens couldn’t say just how much it would cost to buy the Gold Coast University Hospital’s multi-story carpark, which houses more than 2200 parking spaces.
Mr Javanmard, who runs a Biggera Waters pharmacy, has supported the plan.
“When my daughter was born at GCUH three years ago, I remember having only two concerns,” he said.
“Whether the birth would go well, and how much I’d have to fork out for parking.
“Hospital parking fees place a massive burden on patients and their families and friends, with some people being forced to sleep in their cars rather than fork out for parking.
“Rather than making sick people pay to access public healthcare, The Greens will raise royalties on mining corporations to fund free parking for public hospital patients and staff.”
The Greens claim raising royalties would raise an extra $55 billion over four years.
Earlier this month the party announced they would also use the $55 billion to provide free breakfast and lunch for school students across the state.
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