I am thankful to the state government and parking company for allowing nurses to receive free parking during the pandemic; it was appreciated through a challenging time in our history. I am aware and understand that parking would not always be free, but I would have expected the return to parking fees to be equitable and fair. Not double the amount, so that the company can re-coup its lost fees. At the last election, the Labor Party promised all parking at regional hospitals would be free, and we cannot trust the government on its word, as it backflipped and broke its promise.

We are living in dire times, with the cost of living so expensive, and the added burden of exorbitant fees impacting families even more. We are struggling to make ends meet, with high interest rates, high rents, and now high parking fees adding to high anxiety levels and stress.

I have encouraged people at work to send emails regarding this, and one of the responses was that there are alternative ways of coming to the hospital, such as by train.

But as a shift worker, this is not very reassuring.

Parking around the hospital is limited, and the increased fees will send more staff to park on the street, but it will also impact patients accessing health care at the hospital and visitors.

Edwina Jacobs, RN