A proposal to charge patients, staff and visitors market rates for parking at Burwood Hospital has been abandoned by Health New Zealand.

As first reported by Chris Lynch Media, Health New Zealand had planned to introduce parking charges at the hospital, with the tender going to a private company.

However, the organisation has now scrapped the proposal altogether, despite consultation being scheduled to remain open until 18 February.

The Public Service Association said it welcomed the decision.

National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said, “Health NZ had abandoned its plan to privatise parking services across all hospitals for now, but must rule out ever returning to the flawed plan in the future.”

“This was a mean spirited plan, putting profits over patients and health workers and the blame sits squarely on the shoulders of Health Minister Simeon Brown.

“The Government needs to properly fund our public health system, instead Health NZ is being forced to find scarce revenue everywhere.

“This is not how a public health system that puts the needs of patients and health workers first should operate.

“We are pleased Health NZ has seen sense and acknowledged the financial impact this poorly thought through proposal would have had on patients and health workers when household budgets are already under pressure.

“We call on Health NZ to firmly state that privatising parking services is off the agenda permanently.”

Burwood Ward Councillor Kelly Barber said on Wednesday, “I would like to understand the problem they are trying to solve by introducing parking charges at Burwood Hospital, because I can already see the problems they are likely to create for local residents.”

A Burwood Hospital staff member who contacted chrislynchmedia.com said she was disappointed staff had been given a short window to make submissions.

“I do not want to appear entitled about having to pay for parking,” she said.

“My concern is what will happen to the surrounding streets if staff, visitors, and patients start parking outside the hospital grounds to avoid fees.”

She said Mairehau Road was likely to be particularly affected, with vehicles parked on both sides of the street creating difficulties for residents accessing driveways and for visitors coming and going.

Council head of Transport, Stephen Wright said traffic operations staff were not aware of the Health New Zealand’s proposal.

“Concerns or issues that are raised regarding on street parking are considered on a case-by-case basis.  We are unable to comment on any mitigation measures in regard to this specific proposal as it hasn’t come to us.”