Some vulnerable patients and carers will be able to save hundreds of dollars a week on parking fees at Wollongong Hospital under new statewide measures.
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Patients who require treatment over a long period of time, as well as those experiencing financial hardship, are among those who may benefit from the changes to come into effect from July 1.
Wollongong Hospital – the only hospital in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District with parking fees – already has a range of concessions in place.
However Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced on Monday that an extended range of parking concessions would be introduced at every public hospital car park in NSW where fees applied.
Those eligible for the concessions will have access to three hours of free parking; as well as a three-day ticket for $10.60 and seven-day pass for $21.20.
‘’We will now negotiate with private car park operators to ensure the contracts we inherited from the previous government are fairer,’’ Mr Hazzard said.
He said other changes to the policy included simplifying the concession application process in each local health district, and improving communication with patients and their families.
This included enhanced signage in each hospital car park – as well as details on websites and pamphlets – advising patrons of concession rates available and how to apply for them.
NSW Health is also developing a smartphone app to make it easier for hospital visitors to access information about car parks.
More detail on specific changes to Wollongong Hospital’s concessional fee structure to come.
