As if having cancer or nonfunctional kidneys wasn't bad enough, dialysis and oncology patients will now have to pay for parking at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) when they attend appointments.
According to hospital CEO Lori Marshall, patients received a letter August 1 indicating the change will take effect September 1, 2018.
She said the decision had to be made after funding ran out.
"In the past we've had donated funds that provided support to allow patients, or family members helping out, to not have to pay for parking," Marshall said. "Those donations have all been exhausted ... The feeling was we need to look towards equity in terms of our patient parking practices."
Marshall reiterated this wasn't an easy decision to make and she completely understands people will be upset by it. She said the facility's hands were tied in this case because the Ministry of Health provides some funding, but expects hospitals to provide other forms of revenue.
"The majority would have some form of parking charges associated with the hospital," Marshall said. "I did have the opportunity to meet with a group of dialysis patients this week. One of the things we are looking at is a way to come up with a further reduction in rates."
According to Marshall, patients are offered a reduced rate on day passes which range from $25 for five days to $75 for 30 days. She said when a pass is used, it counts for the entire day and patients can come and go as they please. The CEO added the passes are good for a year.
Marshall said the only way for cancer and dialysis patients to get free parking back would be for another group to step up.
"If there was a donor out there who was interested in creating a sustainable way to support [parking]," Marshall said. "That's how it was managed in the past. It was a historical donation that has been exhausted over the years."
