Ocean Grove family fined during daughter’s Geelong hospital surgery
Ocean Grove mum hit with parking fine while waiting for daughter's surgery has exposed a growing crisis around Geelong hospital's parking shortage.
An Ocean Grove mum is calling for council to “fix” carparking around hospitals in Geelong, after she was fined while waiting for her daughter to go into surgery.
Aimee Davies said she had been waiting with her 7-year-old daughter Tillie to have surgery for tonsillitis at Geelong hospital, when she received a $100 parking fine.
Mrs Davies said the family waited from 9.30am until midday, when Tillie went in for surgery, and were unable to get back to their car.
The entire three hours, she had moving her car in the back of her mind, but was scared to leave in case the surgeon called.
“My daughter would not let us leave her side until she went under,” she said.
Mrs Davies said the situation was further complicated as she had undergone a surgery of her own a few days prior and was unable to walk a long distance.
She said visitor and staff carpark was full.
“My husband had been driving around for half an hour to look for a (long term) park,” she said.
“Then we had to just park.”
By the time they got back, it was too late.
“I figured that we were going to get a parking fine, but where are you meant to park around the Geelong Hospital when there’s surgery?” she said.
“The nurses obviously get there first and take the free parks that are close, which is fair enough.”
But, she said, speaking to nurses when she got back to the hospital after moving her car, she learned the problem wasn’t isolated.
“Many of them told me they actually have to leave while they’re on shift, to go and either move their cars or put more money in the meter,” she said.
“Not on their lunch breaks, on their actual shifts, otherwise they get fined.
“It’s just ridiculous.”
Ms Davies said she had a letter from the surgeon that she was planning to send to council, asking them to waive the fine.
“But it could go either way,” she said.
“And it’s such a process.”
“There needs to be specific car parks for people that are in for day surgeries.”
City of Greater Geelong executive director city life Anthony Basford said council provided a range of on-street parking options.
“We have two, three and four-hour parking zones within proximity to Geelong hospital to assist patients and their families who require extended visits to the hospital,” he said.
He said the 2P free parking areas, included Bellerine St, Ryrie St, Swanston St and Myers St.
Mr Basford said every parking infringement could be appealed and reviewed within 90 days.
“Instructions on how to appeal are outlined on the reverse of the infringement,” he said.
“Supporting information by way of statutory declaration and any relevant hospital records can be provided as evidence to support an appeal.”
A Barwon Health spokesman said parking fines should be appealed via Geelong council.
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Originally published as Ocean Grove family fined during daughter’s Geelong hospital surgery
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