Patients and carers who frequently visit NSW public hospitals will save as much as 200 a week under parking fees and expanded concessions introduced from today.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said a website and smartphone app – the first of its kind in Australia – will provide information on how to access the discounted rates.
“The NSW Government is committed to reducing the cost of living in this state. These changes mean much cheaper and fairer parking fees – especially for patients visiting hospital for regular or long-term treatment,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We have worked with private car park operators to get rates down to a maximum of
$5.40 a day, giving patients and families real savings when they need it most.
“We particularly want to thank the team at Metro Parking, who operate four of the car parks in Sydney, who have enabled us to put these changes into place.”
The biggest savings will be at Sydney hospitals, including Sydney Children’s, Royal Women’s, Prince of Wales, St George and Sydney/Sydney Eye hospitals.
The NSW Public Hospital Parking and Directionswebsite and app, developed by digital communications firm The Frame Group and available in English and eight other languages, provide information on fees and concessions, eligibility criteria, maps, public transport options and other health-related subsidies.
The NSW Government announced in March that concessions would be extended to every public hospital car park in NSW where fees are applied.
Under the new policy, a three-day discounted ticket will cost a maximum of $10.90 and a seven-day ticket $21.70, and both allow multiple entries and exits.
Those eligible for discounted hospital car parking include: