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THE Department of Health (DOH) has said that hospital car parking charges will resume tomorrow after visitors at some hospital sites experienced congestion and delays as a result of ‘free parking’ this week.
New legislation will be in place tomorrow that reinstates hospital car parking charges until 2026.
The DOH has said this will allow them and the Trusts the necessary time to implement a traffic management system to control parking, preserve blue-light routes, and protect designated routes to facilitate free car parking across the North’s hospital sites.
A spokesperson for the Department said, “It was originally anticipated that the traffic management system would be in place by now; however, unforeseen delays in the procurement process and subsequent legal challenges meant this was unfortunately not possible.
“The Department is aware that patients and visitors at some hospital sites have experienced congestion and delays as a result of free parking this week. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this period.”
Car parking permits for eligible healthcare staff will be provided free of charge throughout the two-year deferral period.
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