Sean Murphy, Letterkenny University Hospital, Mary McGowan Donegal Age Friendly Alliance, Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Grainne Hines Older Persons Council and Liam Ward, Donegal County Council at the unveiling of designated Age Friendly carparking spaces
The first Age Friendly car parking spaces in Donegal were officially unveiled at University Hospital Letterkenny recently by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Gerry McMonagle.
These carparking spaces, two at the main entrance of the hospital and two at St. Conal’s building, have been introduced following a walkabiltiy audit which was carried out to help identify the needs of older people when they attend the hospital as a patient or for an appointment. This audit was carried out as part of the Donegal Age Friendly Alliance and strategy which is about looking at how best to improve the quality of life for older people living in the community.
One of the actions under the strategy was to investigate the possibility of implementing age friendly principles within hospital facilities, in partnership with the HSE, Donegal County Council and a group of older people as part of the Older Persons Council in Donegal. A walkability audit was carried out in Letterkenny University Hospital and this helped the HSE identify the needs of older people visiting the hospital.
One of the issues raised in this audit was the lack of parking facilities for older people outside the hospital and after highlighting this matter, the Older Persons Council met with the Chief Executive of the hospital, Mr. Sean Murphy who then proceeded to address this issue by putting these dedicated carparking spaces in place in prominent positions at the hospital.
“These spaces are courtesy spaces and we hope that motorists will enter into the spirit of this initiative and leave them free for older persons who need them” said Sean Murphy.
Special signs have been erected to identify these spaces and the same fee applies as for other parking spaces on the hospital grounds.
Sean Murphy thanked the Older Persons Council for their contribution in identifying the needs of Older People for Letterkenny University Hospital and looks forward to continuing to work with this group to address the other issues identified.
The unveiling ceremony which took place on Friday 6 April was also attended by Liam Ward, Donegal County Council and Assistant chair of Age Friendly Alliance, Mary McGowan and Grainne Hinnes Joint Chairpersons of the Older Person’s Forum and other members from the Older Persons Council, Peter Byrne HSE, Pat Price Euro Carparking and members from the Letterkenny Age Friendly group.
Select an option below
