Linda Hall: Parking fees won't solve the problem

Linda Hall, Assistant Editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

Finding a park at Hawke's Bay Hospital is like winning the lottery some days.

It's not much fun driving round and round in circles waiting for someone to leave, only to have the driver in front of you nab the only park that's become available in half an hour.

I understand that the Hawke's Bay District Health Board is trying to solve the issue but introducing paid parking from March 1 just smacks of revenue gathering rather than a solution.

Most people parking at the hospital aren't there for a good time. They are stressed because a loved one is ill or they are ill themselves.

So while the fee of $1 for three-and-a-half hours is not a lot, it's stressful for these people to have to even think about finding coins.

Imagine parents rushing a sick child into hospital. They aren't going to pause in the garage and check if they have money for parking.

I feel really sorry for staff. Because of the nature of their working environment, it will be impossible for them to get free parking within a reasonable walking distance.

Although some staff would be able to use a staff carpark for $1 a day, I imagine they would have to get there early in the day to take advantage of it.

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is offering free bus fares for outpatients and their carers and that's great - but it will come down to a matter of timing for people to take advantage of it. There's a limit to the time most people would be happy hanging around waiting to go home.

Chief operating officer Sharon Mason has said the revenue collected will go back into the health board's travel plan budget.

Here's an idea for that money ... provide more parks.