Hospital car parking update

Normal arrangements for hospital car parking charges will resume from Friday 17 May.

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The Department is aware that patients and visitors at some hospital sites have experienced congestion and delays, as a result of free parking this week. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this period.

New legislation will be in place from tomorrow which reinstates hospital car parking charges until 2026. This will allow the Department of Health and Trusts the necessary time to implement a traffic management system to control parking, preserve blue light routes and protect designated routes to facilitate free car parking across NI’s hospital sites.

It was originally anticipated that the traffic management system would be in place by now, however unforeseen delays in the procurement process and subsequent legal challenges meant this was unfortunately not possible.

Car parking permits for eligible healthcare staff will be provided free of charge throughout the two-year deferral period.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department is announcing the resumption of charges, having received official confirmation that Royal Assent for the deferral legislation takes effect from 00:01 on Friday 17 May.
2. Previous updates on hospital car parking charges are available on the Department of Health website.
3. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
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