The State Opposition has blasted the NSW Government over an announcement this week that while free parking was introduced at the state’s regional and rural public hospitals on August 1, it will not apply at Gosford Hospital.
The issue of parking costs at public hospitals was a major pre-election issue in March, with both major parties pledging to make it free at regional hospitals.
But Minister for the Central Coast David Harris advised CCN on July 31 that Gosford, along with John Hunter and Wollongong Hospitals, would not be included in the roll-out of free parking.
He said while the Labor Government made a commitment to extend free parking to staff, patients and visitors in regional and rural hospitals, Gosford, John Hunter and Wollongong Hospitals are principal referral hospitals located in major centres.
“As such (they) are not covered by the recent announcement by the Minister for Health in relation to free parking,” he said.
“Gosford Hospital is close to public transport and the CBD, providing alternate access to the hospital, something that is not as readily available in the rural and regional areas of Tweed, Coffs Harbour, Maitland, Belmont and Shoalhaven.
“The removal of paid parking at Gosford would risk creating capacity issues, making it harder for patients to access the healthcare they need.”
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, who just last week renewed calls for free parking at Gosford Hospital, said the announcement was “yet another broken promise to the people of the Central Coast”.
“A commitment was made by the Coalition prior to the state election which was matched by the then Opposition,” he said.
“We have now seen this promise broken by the Minns Labor Government less than a month after the Minister for the Central Coast said they would commit to free parking.
“This broken promise affects all of those patients and visitors to the hospital at a time when cost-of-living is at an all-time high and it is appalling the Government has broken its promise.”
The Central Coast is listed on the NSW Department of Health website as one of the nine Local Health Districts in the state classed as regional.
Shadow Minister for Central Coast, Scott Farlow, said the Government needs to come clean and explain why Gosford is being treated differently to all other hospitals in regional and rural NSW.
“If the Government is going to change the Central Coast’s classification as a region, what other programs will be impacted?” he said.
“This is another example of the Government saying one thing and doing another; the people of the Central Coast deserve better.”
Bridgette Weekes is one of many Central Coast residents who visit Gosford Hospital regularly.
“We were led to believe during the election that parking at Gosford Hospital was going to be free,” she said.
“It appears these were empty promises.”
Harris said parking at Wyong Hospital would remain free, which he said would be a “welcome announcement for the community of Wyong”.
Terry Collins