Ill at ease over paid hospital parking

The new barriers will be in use from April 20. Photo / Supplied

Whangarei Hospital staff and patients alike will be paying for car parking from April in an effort to alleviate congestion.

However, not everyone was happy about the decision with one community group labelling it unfair.

Northland District Health Board chief finance officer Meng Cheong said the board approved paid car parking in 2012, following the lead of other DHBs around the country.

"As you know we have been struggling to provide enough public and staff car parking on the Whangarei Hospital campus for some years," Mr Cheong said.

But President of the Kaipara Greypower June Klenner said members were "horrified" to hear of the change at a meeting late last year. "It just seems unfair," Ms Klenner said. "They are going to charge us to park just because they don't have a big enough car parking".

While there were the options of shuttle buses from Dargaville they did not go often enough and many elderly were more comfortable in private cars, she said.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation organiser for Northland Julie Governor said while most staff were accepting of the changes, some were still unhappy.

"It has gone from angry and annoyed ... to a good acceptance that it's going to happen," Ms Governor said.

About 58 per cent of hospital staff surveyed in 2013 were against paid parking. Many staff were less concerned about the cost of parking and more concerned that paid parking would not alleviate congestion, especially during peak times, Ms Governor said.

"The proof is going to be in the pudding," she said.

During 2014 there were 64 complaints to the DHB from the public about parking, mostly relating to not being able to find a park. Many factors caused this but it could mainly be attributed to people taking advantage of the free parking, Mr Cheong said.

"This is not a revenue generating exercise by any means," he said. "Revenue from paid car parking will help fund the additional car parks and roading changes we have already invested in."

Of the 1786 total car parks at the hospital, 976 were staff only. However, 300 extra staff only parks were in the final stage of construction.

The public were welcome to give the DHB feedback regarding paid car parking by emailing consultation@northlanddhb.org.nz