24 October 2014

Parking changes take effect from Tuesday 28 October

From Tuesday after labour weekend (28 October) parking is changing at Christchurch Hospital.

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive officer, David Meates says parking changes are necessary as site works for the hospital’s new Acute Services building get under way.

“The site works mean that the back of the hospital site has to be closed off to the public for safety reasons, and to allow the contractors to work on underground pipes and services ahead of the building’s foundations being constructed,” he said.

The public parking area at the rear of Christchurch Women’s Hospital will be closed from Tuesday. Public parking at the hospital will be for mobility permit holders only.

At the front of the hospital site, the main entrance will become a drop-off zone only. Traffic flows have been converted into a two-way system, and extra space has been set aside for mobility parks.

“I apologise in advance for the inconvenience – we know it’s not an ideal situation,” David Meates said. “This is necessary in order for the construction team to get cracking on building our new acute services facility. I can assure the public that a dedicated parking building on site, and a new multi-storey parking building nearby in St Asaph Street are included in our plans,” he said.

Several solutions to address the loss of on-site public parking have been put in place and will be running from Tuesday morning. A park and ride system has been set up from the old brewery site (the future Metro Sports Facility) on Antigua Street. People will pay for their parking, as in the past, but will be able to catch a free shuttle bus right to the hospital door.

At the hospital, there will be extra volunteers and staff available at the main entrance to help patients and visitors arriving at the drop-off zone.

A trial park and ride scheme has proved a success for people with cancer coming in for treatment. The trial has been running since October 13 and feedback from patients has been very positive. “No more queuing for a park before chemo has made a world of difference,” said one user.

The public should note that nothing has changed in the case of an emergency situation. For example, a woman in advanced labour may still be driven to the door of Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Drivers can still drop patients off at the door of the main hospital, or at the Emergency Department. In a life-threatening emergency situation, people should call 111 for an ambulance.

In all cases there will be staff on hand at the main entrances to the hospital to help you.

For more information on parking at Christchurch Hospital, visit cdhb.health.nz/parking

Park and Ride shuttle service – What you need to know:
• Pay for your parking at the public car park on the corner of St Asaph & Antigua Streets. The site of the Metro Sports Facility (the old brewery site)
• Parking costs $2 hour or $5 for the day – cash or credit card (cards cost 50c extra)
• The shuttle is free & operates 7 days a week
• The shuttle runs between 7:00am and 8:30pm daily
• Shuttles leave every 10-15 minutes and drop off & pick up at Hagley Outpatients and the main entrance to Christchurch Hospital
• Parents are responsible for bringing their children’s car seats
• The shuttle can accommodate prams
• The shuttle is not suitable for wheelchairs. Note: there are now more mobility parks on site. The St John shuttle from Burwood & The Princess Margaret Hospital to Christchurch Hospital can accommodate wheelchairs.
• Look out for the shipping container shuttle stop in the car park. There are seats inside for those waiting for the next shuttle.
• There are two shuttle vans in operation, so the wait shouldn’t be too long.
• Please allow extra time to get to your appointment.
• There are extra volunteers, orderlies and security staff to help you when you arrive at the main entrance.

ENDS

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