Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed at the South West Acute Hospital site as part of efforts to monitor and collect data on parking usage, sparking concerns among staff and local representatives.
The Western Trust confirmed in a social media post that work began on Monday, May 11, to install the cameras at the South West Acute Hospital site.
The Trust said the cameras are intended for “monitoring and data collection purposes” to help support future planning of parking services.
Concerns for both patients and staff
Speaking on the issue, councillor and Western Trust staff member Debbie Coyle said she had concerns about how the system would operate, particularly for hospital workers and patients using emergency services.
“In my opinion, especially around A&E, there should be no charges and that has been long awaited and it hasn’t come yet,” she said.
Cllr Coyle said staff members are already required to register vehicle details and questioned how a reported three-hour parking limit would work for workers on long shifts.
“I have been working all night and I wouldn’t have time during the night or during the day to run down every three hours to re-register your car,” she said.
She also criticised the current parking payment system, describing it as outdated.
According to Cllr Coyle, some hospital car parks still do not accept card payments or euros, causing difficulties for patients and visitors arriving late at night or travelling from across the border.
“You can go anywhere in Enniskillen and use euros and your card, but you can’t use it in the hospital car parks,” she said.
Cllr Coyle added that there are already significant parking pressures around the hospital, with cars regularly parked along nearby roads due to a lack of spaces.
Hospital parking charges bill passed
Her comments come as the Department of Health confirmed that hospital parking charges in Northern Ireland will remain in place for now after new legislation deferred the abolition of fees introduced under the Hospital Parking Charges Act 2022.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said removing charges immediately would have cost the health service £7 million annually during a period of severe financial pressure.
The legislation allows charges to remain until no later than May 2029, although they could be removed sooner if finances improve
