Sinn Féin TD for Galway East, Louis O’Hara, has expressed concern that the introduction of paid parking at Merlin Park Hospital in Galway will act as a financial barrier to those accessing health services. O’Hara has written to the General Manager of Galway University Hospitals requesting that the decision to introduce paid parking is reversed.
Deputy O’Hara said it is deeply disappointing news for patients that hospital car parking charges have been implemented in Merlin Park.
“This is a further financial barrier to patients when accessing health services and receiving treatment, and for families visiting loved ones. It particularly impacts people with severe medical conditions that require frequent hospital attendance. There also must be clarity on whether any staff members will be impacted by these charges.
“I have written to the General Manager of Galway University Hospitals requesting that this decision be reconsidered, and implementation of paid parking reversed. These charges are unfair on those who need to access the hospital, and plans must be put in place to reduce and ultimately abolish car parking charges at other public hospitals,” he concluded.
