An online petition, launched on Tuesday, has gained momentum, garnering over 1,100 signatures by Wednesday afternoon. The petition, addressed to Health Sciences North (HSN) hospital in Sudbury, Ontario, demands free parking for hardworking healthcare professionals.
The petition highlights the rising cost of living and emphasizes that parking fees add an unnecessary financial burden to healthcare workers, who often work long hours to provide essential care to the community. The petitioners argue that it is unfair to expect these professionals to pay for parking while they are dedicated to serving the community.
In the petition, the proponents argue that free parking would not only alleviate the financial strain on healthcare workers but also boost their morale, potentially leading to enhanced patient care and improved outcomes.
In response to media inquiries, Jason Turnbull, spokesperson for HSN, clarified that parking rates for staff have remained unchanged since 2010. He explained that the hospital incurs significant operating costs for parking, including expenses related to security, equipment, maintenance, snow removal, parking equipment, and software. Turnbull emphasized that the hospital does not receive funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for parking-related costs.
Turnbull further noted that net parking revenue is directed towards supporting healthcare research conducted by the Health Sciences North Research Institute. While acknowledging that the hospital recently increased parking rates for patients and visitors in February, Turnbull confirmed that the monthly staff rate remained unchanged at $95. Hourly rates were adjusted to $4 for the first hour, $3 for the second, and $2 for the third hour, with a daily maximum cap of $11.50 for a day pass.
This news has sparked a debate within the Sudbury community, with many residents and healthcare professionals expressing their support for the petition’s demands. The petition organizers hope that the growing public support will persuade HSN to reconsider its position and provide free parking for its dedicated healthcare workers.
