Editorial: Tough call ahead on hospital parking

OPINION: MidCental District Health Board is between a rock and parking space. The cash-strapped DHB is grappling with a $9 million deficit, has been told by the Minister of Health to rein it in, and is once again considering imposing parking fees at Palmerston North Hospital to raise cash.

Hospital advisory committee chairman Jack Drummond has advocated introducing the charges twice in the past eight years, but was beaten back by public opposition both times. With MidCentral's books now in such a dire state, and cuts to health services imminent, it's likely the board will introduce the charges no matter what the opposition.

As Dr Drummond noted in yesterday's Manawatu Standard, "I'd rather see parking charges than lose 10 nurses". And that is the reality of the situation the DHB is in.

When the proposal was looked at four years ago, it was calculated that charges of $2 to $5 for the site's 1300-plus parks would generate $400,000 a year for the board. That's a significant chunk of change.

Arguments that the parking fees would create hardship and stress for outpatients and people visiting sick family members are entirely valid. But something's got to give. In a perfect world, parking at the hospital would be free. Given the tough choices facing board members, however, imposing parking charges is a legitimate avenue to explore. Many other hospitals around the country charge for parking; the concept is not revolutionary.

The DHB, while obliged to pursue the charges as an option, would be wise to employ some flexibility in its approach. Consideration should be given to exceptions or discounts for some people, particularly pensioners and other people on low incomes.

While charging for parking is not unreasonable in general terms, MidCentral must acknowledge and minimise the risk of people forgoing a hospital visit because of the financial disincentive. Retaining some health services by charging for parking would be pointless if some people did not receive treatment because they couldn't afford to visit the hospital. Such a scenario might seem far-fetched, but it is an unfortunate reality for some people on low incomes.

The DHB will surely receive strong public feedback on the issue, and it's unlikely to be positive. That's something it will have to take on the chin. No-one is going to like it, but the right decision to make is not always the most popular one.It was encouraging to read in yesterday's Manawatu Standard that our region has the lowest rate of truancy in the country. The truancy rate in Manawatu-Whanganui schools dropped from 3.6 per cent of all students in 2006 to 2.3 per cent in 2009, with the national average at 4.2 per cent. I might be biased, but I'm certain it has something to do with the fact our schools are so outstanding.

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