By Cecilia Nasmith
Starting July 6, Northumberland Hills Hospital will reinstate parking fees in all its parking lots for staff, physicians and members of the public.
Paid parking at the facility, located at 1000 DePalma Dr. In Cobourg, was temporarily suspended as part of its COVID-19 response. As the hospital began the gradual resumption of elective services, Vice-president of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Abhi Mukherjee said in the announcement, the decision was made to resume normal parking operations.
“The net revenue generated by parking – an average of approximately $750,000 per annum in recent years – is applied directly to patient care,” Mukherjee said.
“NHH, like many hospitals in the province, has absorbed the temporary loss of this revenue in recent months, but it is not something we are able to sustain on a go-forward basis without impacting services.”
The gated parking system will be reactivated on all three lots on the NHH property – at the main front entrance, the Emergency Department and the staff lots. Rates remain the same as they were before the temporary free-parking measures.
Heightened cleaning practices will be in place at and around the interior parking-payment kiosks at the main entrance and Emergency Department entrance. All people entering the hospital is reminded to clean their hands upon entering the hospital and throughout their stay, including before and after using the parking kiosks. Physical distancing protocols must also be observed when using the parking kiosks.
For more information on hourly rates and discount-pass options, contact the Finance Office at 905-372-6811 ext. 4042.
