Cancer charity responds to NI consultation on car parking charges

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has submitted a response to an NI consultation on hospital car parking charges, presented by the NI Department of Health.

The ‘Consultation on the “Re-introduction of Hospital Parking Charges” as a measure to support budget sustainability by raising additional revenue’ is part of a broader initiative across the departments of the NI Civil Service (NICS). Given resource strain, in September 2023, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris directed the permanent secretaries of the NICS departments to launch public consultations on measures to support budget sustainability by raising additional revenue.

This particular consultation follows an opportunity identified by the Department of Health. It seeks views on whether or not to repeal the Hospital Parking Charges Act (2022). As it currently stands, this Act, passed in 2022, requires that the Department and all HSC Trusts provide free car parking by May 2024. This means that Trusts’ current hospital parking fees are set to be eliminated within the next few months. A new proposal, asked about in this consultation, would rescind that requirement and continue to put a price on parking. By maintaining the current system, the Department hopes to avoid an estimated £10 million in additional annual recurrent costs for car park maintenance and traffic management, which are currently covered by the parking payments.

Pat McClelland, Director of Services at Cancer Focus NI

Cancer Focus NI took the opportunity presented by the consultation to emphasise that cancer patients and others with long-term conditions already face financial pressures. “It is important to remember that those facing a cancer diagnosis, treatment, or other long-term condition already might have to take time off work while also contending with extra costs, such as additional travel costs for appointments, more frequent child care, extra heating at home, and more,” comments Pat McClelland, Director of Services at Cancer Focus NI. “This can combine to more expenses and less income, which can cause significant financial strain, especially for individuals from rural and deprived communities. We worry that hospital parking charges might add to this stress, for both patients and hospital staff. At the same time, we know that the Trusts face their own resourcing challenges and that these are important to address to allow for continued quality care.”

In responding to this consultation, Cancer Focus NI aimed to remind Health officials of the financial impacts medical concerns and diagnoses can incur; to urge person-oriented policies; and to highlight the importance of identifying and addressing inefficiencies as to enable stronger patient support.

Cancer Focus NI also supports cancer patients with their transportation and parking concerns through the charity’s Driving Service. Currently available in the South Eastern, Belfast, and parts of the Northern Trusts, this volunteer-run service provides door-to-door transport to treatment appointments. Learn more about this service and how to volunteer as a driver here.