There is potentially good news for anyone who has to visit the Regina General Hospital and is concerned about the facility's parking situation.
Earlier today, the provincial government announced they have directed the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to look into the possibility of a privately-built, owned, and operated parkade at Regina General.
“Parking is a support service, not a direct health care service, so we believe it could be appropriately provided through the private sector,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said in a press release. “We know that parking at Regina General Hospital has been an issue for a long time, and we are committed to finding a long-term solution. It’s important that staff and visitors feel safe around the facility and have convenient access to the building.”
Just last week, the NDP called on the government to commit to building a new parking facility.
“Nurses and health care workers, patients and their families, everyone who needs to access our hospitals deserves to do so as safely and as conveniently as possible,” said NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat in a press release dated Feb. 25.
“The wait list for a staff parking spot is up to 11 years, staff fear for their own safety or vandalism of their vehicle when they have to walk blocks to their car after a night shift, and family members of patients are spending time hunting for parking spots that they should be spending with their loved ones.”
The government says they will know more later this spring. At that time, a further decision will be made on issuing a Request for Proposals for design and construction of the parking facility.
A decision on how to proceed will be made by summer.
In the meantime, the SHA says guests can still use the “Park and Ride” and “Safe Walk” programs that are available to both staff and visitors.
