Hospital parking charges raised

Parking will no longer be free at Waitakere Hospital. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Parking will no longer be free at Waitakere Hospital after new charges announced by the Waitemata District Health Board.

Waitakere is the last Auckland hospital with free parking but that will change on June 13, when charges will apply all day, every day of the week.

And North Shore Hospital, which charges only on weekdays, will extend that to include weekends and week nights from July 1.

It will also increase the charge for the first hour's parking by $1 to $3, and the maximum charge per day will increase by the same amount to $11.

Waitemata DHB chief executive Dave Davies said the new charges were necessary because of growing demand.

"A growing population and the introduction of new services such as 24-7 emergency services for children - and adults from mid-June - mean Waitakere Hospital is now the busiest it has ever been," Mr Davies said.

To ensure more parking was available, the board found it necessary to charge $3 for the first hour and $2 for every subsequent hour.

"We recognise this change will have a big impact, so we've capped the charge to a maximum of $11 per day," said Mr Davies.

Barrier arms will be installed at the hospital and visitors and patients will need to pay at a machine before returning to their vehicle.

Mr Davies said parking charges and hours at North Shore Hospital had remained unchanged for a number of years, but the ever-busier nature of the hospital meant increases were needed.

"No charge for the first 30 minutes will remain - enabling patients to be dropped off for appointments - and the $2 subsequent-hour fee will also be unchanged."

The new charges will help pay for existing and new facilities, including a 1200-space parking area at North Shore Hospital to be completed by November.

COST OF A PARK

New 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a week charges at Waitakere (from June 13) and North Shore Hospitals (from July 1):

Less than 30 minutes Free
First hour $3
One to two hours$5
Two to three hours$7
Three to four hours$9
Four to five hours$11
Maximum charge per day $11