Recently my children were called to see their dad on the Palliative Unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
To my dismay, I had been informed that there is no free parking for the family members of palliative patients.
With everything that people go through at this crucial point at the end of life, and the grief and heart ache of losing a loved one, I find it appalling that the hospital, or whoever is responsible for the parking, forget the humanity at such a critical time and continue to charge them a fee for parking.
And if they don’t get down to their cars in time to buy more time for their parking, they would get a ticket!
A person shouldn’t have to worry about parking at such a critical time. There are so many others things they need to think about at this emotionally and physically draining time than having to worry about the time running out and fear of a parking violation!
Since when did a person dying become a money-making business off the grief of other people?
This is a hospital that is supposed to provide comfort and care and support to those in need.
The prices they charge are exorbitant and some people in certain circumstances can’t afford the parking at the hospital!
As well, if a person is ill and has need to attend to the ER, and then have to pay for parking when you go to ER when you’re sick is just another way of making money off human suffering. I find it to be reproachable and reprehensible!
Having worked at the hospital for 10 years as a licensed practical nurse, I’m appalled at how people are treated in their time of need!
When you take ‘human’ out of the word ‘humanity, all you have is ‘it’!
Kathryn Kennedy
Red Deer