More free parking and new discount schemes for patients needing lengthy hospital treatment have been confirmed by Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital. It was announced early this year that charges at the hospital will rise for the first time in six years from Saturday 1st October 2011.
There will be a sliding scale based on time of stay, instead of a fixed £2 charge (details below).
Now the hospital has confirmed that additional free parking and discount schemes for patients who require longer term care will come into force on the same day.
Free parking is already offered to patients receiving cancer treatment. This will be extended to any patients who require regular, lengthy and prolonged visits.
Patients will qualify if they visit the hospital at least once a fortnight, for more than 3½ hours and for a period of more than six months. It is anticipated that the new concessions will extend free parking to patients receiving blood transfusions or dialysis.
In addition, patients will be able to buy a new £15 monthly pass which is being introduced, offering a significant discount on the daily rates. Patient concessions will have to be authorised by ward or clinic managers.
Relatives and visitors will be able to obtain a “saver ticket” to allow unlimited parking at a cost of £15 per week, which also sees savings.
A hospital spokesman said: “When we first announced the increase in the summer, we promised to extend free and discounted parking. The schemes we have agreed will raise considerably the number of patients and visitors who are benefiting from free or discounted parking. Where patients and visitors are paying the new rates, we estimate that 60% of visitors will pay the same as they currently do, or 50p more. In addition, we have a 30 minute free drop off and plan to increase drop off zones.
“We have significantly increased car parking spaces through our new multi-storey car park. However, we have a number of revenue costs for the services, including the new building, so we have made the decision to increase charges in a fair way, on a sliding scale.”
The hospital has also been supporting public transport developments, including working with Liverpool City Council to install lights and pedestrian crossings at the busy Longmoor Lane entrance, which is used by staff, patients and visitors arriving at Fazakerley Station and on bus.
Full information on discounts for patients or visitors is available from the hospital’s General Office on 0151 529 3458/2642 or from ward or clinic managers.
Note. From 1st October 2011, standard patient and visitor car parking charges at the hospital will be on the following sliding scale:
• Up to 30 minutes – free, to enable drop offs and collections
• 30 minutes to 1½ hours - £2.50
• 1½ hours to 2½ hours - £3.50
• 2½ hours - 3 ½ hours - £4.00
• More than 3½ hours - £5.00