I have been shocked when I have had to pay for parking at hospital carparks and it is usually has been a one off for me. Lucky me but not so for lots of other people. Husbands, wives, parents, sisters, brothers and friends are paying ongoing fees for the daily visits to loved ones. If it is a long stay in hospital the costs are as much as $8,000 to $10,000 over a year.
No visitor can elude these fees if they live in a major capital city or regional city in Australia. There is no available free road parking near or around these hospitals. Each car owner pays anywhere from $34 to $65 a day depending on which State they live in.
To me this is a travesty and an oxymoron that goes against the philosophical values that is associated with doctor and nurse care, kindness, compassion and love. Where is the humanity? How could this harsh fiscal reality happen?
It comes down to the budget. The costs of running hospitals has blown out big time costing billions of dollars and as a result the attached car parks are owned and operated by companies who pocket the money.
I was elated to hear that there is a mounting force opposing these outlandish costs. These groups are demanding that the government take action and ban fee parking carparks. Allow the people who are spending the last days with dying loved ones or the mums and dads who sit with their babies and children in hospital etc do so without the worry of constant handing out their hard earned money. It is not fair and it is not right.
I do not know if there are similar set ups in other countries. I sincerely hope not but then again I tend to be a little delusional sometimes.
Blessings
Cheers- thank you for reading and for your support