Only half of Munster cancer centres offer free parking to patients

Cancer patients attending Cork University Hospital are offered a reduced car parking rate, with chemotherapy patients paying €5 daily instead of the hourly rate of €2.70. Picture: Dan Linehan

Only half of the six cancer centres in Munster offer free parking to vulnerable patients, and the Irish Cancer Society has called for this inequity to be addressed.

A person’s Eircode should not determine the costs they face as cancer patients, said CEO Averil Power, as a new national map published by the Irish Cancer Society reveals stark disparities.

Six public hospitals treat cancer patients in the south but only three offer free parking for cancer patients.

These are University Hospital Limerick, University Hospital Kerry, and South Tipperary Hospital in Clonmel.

Cancer patients attending Cork University Hospital are offered a reduced rate, with chemotherapy patients paying €5 daily instead of the hourly rate of €2.70.

Patients receiving radiotherapy can pay €5 a week instead of the daily rate of €15.

Cork’s Mercy University Hospital does not have a dedicated car park at its city centre location for any patients.

Waterford University Hospital does not offer any reductions to cancer patients, meaning they need to pay €4 an hour for short visits or €8 for a daily rate.

Some cancer patients in the south-east may also attend St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny. This hospital offers free parking to all cancer patients, relieving them of the need to pay a daily rate of €4.

'Disparities'

Ms Power said their map shows “huge geographic disparities” around the country.

“Your Eircode shouldn’t determine whether you’re hit with these charges or not,” said Ms Power.

“Cancer patients and their loved ones are already struggling with the numerous burdens associated with their diagnosis, and car parking charges can quickly add up and exacerbate an already difficult situation.”

She said, for example, a patient requiring radiation therapy might attend five days a week over a four-week period.

These charges can run up to €300 in the space of a month in some hospitals. 

"The families of those with childhood or adolescent cancer can pay, on average, up to €200 a month.”

The Irish Cancer Society said the issue is not for individual hospitals to address, instead it is a matter for the Government.

“This is why we’re asking the Government to following through on its Programme for Government commitment to tackle this cost. We want to put an end to cancer patients having to put their hand in their pocket to fork out on car-parking charges.

“While the Programme for Government only goes so far as saying it will examine capping, we have consistently called for the outright abolition of car-parking charges for cancer patients.”

Ms Power said this is a particular issue this winter for many patients as other costs, including heating, also remain extremely high.