Halifax hospital to lose parkade in redevelopment, staff asked to consider walking, busing to work

A plan to cut hundreds of coveted parking spots at theHalifax Infirmary while staff are encouragedto carpool or take public transitdoesn't consider the needs of those who work at all hours of the day or live outside the city, says a union representing health-care workers.

Sandra Mullen, president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, said findingparking at the province's largest hospital has always been a struggle, and the ongoing redevelopment of the site will only make things worse for staff.

"All of our members are in there working 24/7. That means that they are having to commute to work when perhaps transit isn't available. No matter where they're coming from, the types of weather does not restrict them from coming into work. They often have to be there,"Mullen said in an interview.

Site preparation for the multi-yearQEII Halifax Infirmary expansion projectbegan earlier this year, with $254 million earmarked for the work. The project's first phasewill see a parkade with 671spaces along Robie Street demolished to make room for a new acute tower. The last day to park there is Aug. 25.

The only remaining on-site parkade on Summer Street willprioritize patients during the busiest hours of the day. It will have 412 spots for patients and families during those times, still a decrease from the Robie Street parkade.

Alternatives proposed

CBC News spoke to several hospital staff memberswhoexpressed concerns about parking and transportation alternatives put forward to staffby Nova Scotia Health and Partners for Care, the non-profit business development arm of the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

The newOptions for Parking and Transportation Program sent to staff asks individualsto indicate in the coming weeks which commuting options work best for them:"active and sustainable transportation," including walking, biking andcarpooling with at least one person; discounted public transit; or parking on-site in the Summer Street parkadeoutside of peak hours, identified asweekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. local time.

Staff who choose to carpool will have access to some 100spots intheSummer Street parkade on afirst-come, first-served basis. Outside of those spaces, staff will beunable to park there in order to accommodate patients during peak hours.

Off-site parking, including a lot on College Street, will continue to offer170 spots while the Garrison Groundswill beable to provide 230 spots for Infirmarystaff. Thelots are a nine- to 12-minute walk from the hospital's Summer Street entrance, which will become the main entrance next month.

The Garrison lotwill not be available for select dates in the fall due to previous commitments.

Jane Davies, CEO of Partners for Care, saidfive taxi vouchers a yearwill beoffered for those using active andsustainable transportation orpublic transit.

Staff who spoke to CBC News said they wereconcerned about their safety getting from a parking lot to the hospital at odd hours and during poor weather, andwhatwouldhappen if an employee can't find a spot when showing up for work.

"There have to be ways to remedy the problem to assist our members to be able to park in a safe and secure place and be able to get into work when they need to be there," said Mullen.

'We know it's not enough'

Davies said there is room for improvement, and the objective is for staff to chooseone or more of the options that meets their needs.

"We know that we need to do more," she said."We are not going to rest on our laurels. We know it's not enough and we are fully committed to supporting the staff with more and better options."

She said it will become evident what options work as the program is rolled out. Changes could be made to the program in the coming weeks and Davies said the hope is to have a definitive plan soon.

Davies also saidsecurity is a priority for the Garrison Grounds, and staff are being asked forinput ona shuttle service.

Randi Monroe, an executive director with Nova Scotia Health's central zone, said any solution must also consider the needs of patients, particularly during peak hours.

"This is really when everybody wants to come to work and all our patients are coming in at the same time.We needed to find a solution that works for our patientsthat is why we are all here and a solution that works for our staff," said Monroe.