Carparking Changes at Waitakere and North Shore Hospitals

20 April 2011

Carparking arrangements for visitors and patients to Waitakere and North Shore hospitals will be changing.

These changes will apply from 13 June at Waitakere and 1 July at North Shore.

Due to growing demand for public carparking spaces, Waitemata DHB is introducing paid parking for patients and visitors to Waitakere Hospital.

“We have attempted to keep parking free at Waitakere for a number of years but a growing population and the introduction of new services such as 24-7 emergency services for children – and adults from mid-June – mean Waitakere Hospital is now the busiest it has ever been in its history,” says chief executive Dave Davies.

To ensure there is more parking available for the public, visitors and patients to Waitakere Hospital will have to pay a small fee of $3 for the first hour’s parking and $2 for every subsequent hour.

This will be introduced via an automated parking system, with barrier arms installed and operational at Waitakere from 13 June. Visitors and patients will need to pay at one of the pay machines before returning to their vehicle.

“We recognise that this change will have a big impact, so we’ve capped the charge to a maximum of $11 per day,” says Dave.

Paid parking hours at North Shore Hospital for patients and visitors will also be extended to include weekends and weeknights.

There will also be a slight increase in charges, with the charge for the first hour’s parking now $3, an increase of $1. The maximum charge per day will also increase by $1 to $11.

“We have kept our parking charges unchanged for a number of years, but growing pressures mean we have to introduce these changes, which will apply from 1 July.

“The no charge policy for the first 30 minutes will remain – enabling patients to be dropped off for appointments – and the $2 subsequent hour fee will also be unchanged.”

Along with helping to manage parking demand, proceeds from the parking charges will go towards helping fund new parking facilities at both hospitals.

ENDS

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