Toronto healthcare workers are still paying for parking at local hospitals

[Charlemagne]

Toronto healthcare workers are still paying for parking at local hospitals

City

Lisa Power

It's come as a surprise to many in Toronto to discover that even during a pandemic, frontline healthcare workers are still expected to pay for parking like any of us regular folk.

The Toronto Star reported that University Health Network (UHN)—which includes healthcare workers from five major Toronto medical institutions—initiated an anonymous feedback forum for employees to address issues and concerns they were facing with during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workers raised questions like why they need to come into work if their job can be done from home, and how they were expected to take public transit despite trying to self-isolate and limit unnecessary contact.

UHN tried to address the issue of taking public transit by encouraging staff "to get a ride from a family member or to drive themselves into work," which led to the issue of parking fees where it was revealed that frontline workers are still expected to pay upwards of $127.50 a month for a pass.

Upon discovering this, many expressed outrage that frontline healthcare workers risking their life on a daily basis were facing financial challenges just trying to come into work.

Matt Elliott

@GraphicMatt

Not a great look from the University Health Network. If you’re telling hospital workers to avoid the TTC, you should stop charging them for parking. Offering a discount — starting April 6! — isn’t enough. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...oronto-hospital-workers-fears-grievances.html

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12:16 PM - Mar 30, 2020

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According to the Star's report, one question laid out the concerns clearly: "Can there be free parking for staff? How are we expected to be able to afford these ‘discounted parking rates?’ … Are we supposed to take the subway and not practice social distancing?"

KARIM@karimmusika

@UHN your staff is at risk! Employees who are taking TTC are not safe! You should provide them FREE parking at least,so they can feel safer to go to work! This is serious! #Health #Toronto #Hospitals this is not social distance

1:45 PM - Mar 22, 2020

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UHN says that it's planning to provide a discount on monthly passes, reducing the cost to $100 beginning on April 6, and lower evening and weekend rate from $8 to $6, but many are saying that's not enough and it should be free.

Robyn McDonald@robynannmcd

Pls Toronto offer free parking at downtown hospitals for doctors /nurses / technicians during this crisis . My future SIL is a respiratory tech at PMH and must travel to work on the subway b/c he cannot afford the parking. @brianlilley @fordnation @JohnTory @CityNews @CTVNews

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12:08 PM - Mar 26, 2020

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Seattle has already ensured that healthcare workers**can park near hospitals for free.

But it appears Canadian cities are more reluctant with healthcare workers like in British Columbia where workers have reportedly been getting slapped with parking tickets and where a petitiondemanding they receive free parking has sprung up.

Da Mc@Da_Mc_

Replying to @GraphicMatt

How about the city of Toronto issue on-street parking passes that let hospital workers park where ever the f___ they want!@bradrossTO

UHN told the Star that the concern over parking has been relayed to the "appropriate department of the hospital."

https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/03/toronto-healthcare-workers-paying-for-parking-hospitals/

 

[malata]

with healthcare workers putting their life on the line during these desperate times - they should be allowed free parking anywhere

 

[hamermill]

Everything should be free.

 

[Velvets]

The sense of entitlement here is nauseating. Everyone has to pay for parking at hospitals. Physicians pay for parking and is sometimes a taxable benefit and added back to your salary. We all pick our careers and are fully aware of the risks associated with them. A healthcare worker is there to help people and is essentially a public servant.

I see the same attitude police have being prevelant in the healthcare staff. I had one person complain because he got a speeding ticket on the way home and was upset he had his car impounded. He wanted special treatment.

There’s a big difference between going to work during normal times and going to work knowingly exposing yourself to the virus the rest of us are sitting at home avoiding. They have an exponentially higher risk of contracting the virus and as a result shouldn’t take public transit in. So yes they should get free parking during these times when they are out there trying to keep the rest of us safe. How is that being entitled ? If you were one of them and out there with them then I’d have more respect for your opinion.

 

[fall]

The sense of entitlement here is nauseating. Everyone has to pay for parking at hospitals. Physicians pay for parking and is sometimes a taxable benefit and added back to your salary. We all pick our careers and are fully aware of the risks associated with them. A healthcare worker is there to help people and is essentially a public servant.

I see the same attitude police have being prevelant in the healthcare staff. I had one person complain because he got a speeding ticket on the way home and was upset he had his car impounded. He wanted special treatment.

They cannot take public transportation for safety reason (do you want to see nurses who has high chance to get infected riding the bus?). So, car travel is not a choice, but necessity, same as masks and cloves (or should nurses pay for their masks too?)

 

[Ben19]

As a health care worker I originally was not one to complain about this. Yes parking at hospitals are expensive but it comes with the job and it’s nothing new with COVID19. However talking to some of my colleagues I have changed my mind. Many who due to the high parking prices were taking public transport in the past now cannot given that because of their profession they are high risk of exposure. So for those people there should be incentive to use their cars and park. As a result making parking free makes sense.

The other argument is that many have been redeployed and hospital to hospital transfers are common. This is particularly relevant for junior staff/trainees. These people had already paid parking fees at one place and now are forced to pay at another. And these are not cheap... let’s just say if parking is free I can budget enough to see a few SPs when all this is done lol...

 

[explorerzip]

The real entitled person is the one sitting at home complaining about health care workers during a crisis.

 

[explorerzip]

I am fully aware of the risks about treating patients. Yes. There is a high risk of contracting Covid19. My irritation is with workers already paying for parking asking for their fees to be waived. As a resident you have to pay for parking fees. I agree with Ben19 has stated if you need to pay extra as a resident to help out - that fee should be waived. If you are a resident and have to pay more for parking that makes no sense when you are essentially working for free.

But there are many auxillary staff who already pay for parking who are complaining. The entitlement is astounding. You go into healthcare to help people period! You do not go into the healthcare field to receive praise and recognition.

You're only irritated because you're stuck at home with nothing else to do. You may want to unplug and get some sun and fresh air. Don't hang around the park though. Better yet, put on a mask and go down to your local hospital so you can see first hand what is going on.

Health care work is a stressful and thankless job in the best of times. You're dealing with sick and miserable people all day long. I think people realize that when they choose to work in that field and don't expect gold stars just for showing up to work.

At the same time, I think it's reasonable that we should be giving them a break during this crisis to ease the immense stress they are under. Remember that they also have rent or mortgages to pay, loved ones (maybe sick) and themselves to look after.

The auxiliary stuff (janitors, receptionists, administrators and food services) that you are referring to also work in the hospital. They might not have direct access to patients, but they are still at risk for catching this thing.

 

[OnTheWayOut]

Since I moved to Canada I have always been amazed that anyone has to pay to park at a hospital. I live in a small Ontario town and even here you need to pay to park to cheer up a friend or relative while in the hospital. Visitors have a positive effect on patients in most cases, here you are discouraged from visiting.

Where I lived in the US hospitals have free parking for employees and visitors, often under cover in parking garages. Granted it is not like that in all US hospitals, especially in the largest cities.

Given that hospital employees can no longer use mass transit and are being forced to drive to work and incur additional expenses while putting in longer hours - that is just not acceptable. They are risking a lot during the pandemic and should be treated better.

 

[Ben19]

UHN is now offering free parking to staff.

 

[malata]

UHN is now offering free parking to staff.

fucking A - i hope the other hospitals follow suit

 

[shack]

fucking A - i hope the other hospitals follow suit

As well.

But keep in mind that this is Canada so I believe that it is "fucking eh".

 

[7up]

Why the fuck is Casino parking free and Hospital parking is charged. Makes no fucking sense. Just my 2 cents.

 

[malata]

As well.

But keep in mind that this is Canada so I believe that it is "fucking eh".

Why the fuck is Casino parking free and Hospital parking is charged. Makes no fucking sense. Just my 2 cents.

because they want you to save your money so you don't lose it in their casino

 

[WULA]

Health care workers are well paid.

Parking at Toronto hospitals is normally very very expensive for patients and their visitors.

But if medical staff already have a subsidized parking pass at about $6.00 a day, then their complaint is pretty petty.

 

[Smash]

Why the fuck is Casino parking free and Hospital parking is charged. Makes no fucking sense. Just my 2 cents.

Casino's want to get you in the door as easily as possible so they can take your savings inside.