Parking at Mater Dei

The other day I had to take someone to hospital for outpatient treatment. I tried to get to the car park but an attendant said it was full.

When I asked if there was any alternative he stated that all surface parking was assigned to permit holders. I had to make my way to the nearby San Ġwann industrial park which was also full.

My only option was to text the person I dropped off to call me when ready. I had to drive home, where luckily I did find parking.

The reason I am saying this is that Mater Dei Hospital has been designed with both surface and underground parking to take a considerable number of cars (around 6,000, I think).

The only public car park is the underground one with four levels. The first level has always been reserved for permit holders. Now even the second level is reserved, so all the visiting public has to make do with two levels.

This is patently absurd and does not make economic sense. The hospital authorities should better organise a free service for the regular hospital staff, freeing up much needed parking space to the paying customers. I think the ‘free service’ would pay for itself and we would be reducing a significant amount of pollution. I’m sure that given a choice, employees would prefer the free service rather than use their own car.

I sincerely hope this green measure is implemented soon.