HOSPITAL trusts across the region remain divided over plans to scrap free parking for staff as the Government will end its support today.
A number of NHS trusts across the North East and North Yorkshire have decided to continue free parking for staff, while others have followed the Government's plan.
It comes as unions criticised Health Secretary Sajid Javid after he announced that free parking was introduced during the first coronavirus lockdown would.
Staff parking fees across hospitals in England were first waived in March 2020, but Mr Javid this week made the announcement as he said the pandemic had moved to a new stage.
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Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said: “It’s almost like the Health Secretary has a personal vendetta against NHS staff.
“During the worst cost of living crisis in a generation he’s hell-bent on forcing them to swallow yet another real terms pay cut.
“Now follows the real insult to injury, he’s making them pay to park at work.
“Health workers are on their knees following a two-year pandemic, they need help and support, not being repeatedly kicked when they are down by the Government.
“GMB calls on the Government to restore this funding and on employers to do the right thing and scrap the reintroduction of local parking charges.”
The GMB said figures for the financial year 2019/20, the year before charges were lifted for the pandemic, showed that health workers paid £90.1 million in car parking fees.
Meanwhile, workers in the North East and Yorkshire paid a staggering £16 million, said the union.
The Northern Echo asked each one of our trusts across the region to see what their plans were - and this is what they said.
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York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it is not making any changes to parking on April 1.
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said plans to reintroduce fees are being reviewed and there is no immediate change for staff from April 1.
The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said it had also received the national guidance on car parking charges and is currently reviewing it.
But the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs six hospitals including James Cook University Hospital and The Friarage is not reintroducing charges for staff until May.
A spokesperson said: “In reintroducing fees from May, charges are being frozen at 2020 levels and we have implemented discounted parking for those in greatest need, including NHS staff working overnight, in line with the Government’s 2019 manifesto commitment.
“In addition, £300,000 has been invested in better staff parking at The James Cook University Hospital and a further £40,000 has been used to increase staff parking spaces at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
“The fees from parking charges are reinvested into the cost of car park maintenance, security, lighting and CCTV, which otherwise would have to be taken from frontline care budgets. In addition, a number of our staff car parks have to be maintained and paid for under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) on the James Cook site which currently costs the trust £57million each year.”
Other trusts were contacted but did not respond in time for publication.
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Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North was unimpressed with the prospect of parking charges being reintroduced for staff at some NHS Foundation Trusts.
Mr Cunningham said: “Health staff went above and beyond to look after people during the pandemic, and at considerable risk to themselves.
“The Government celebrated their efforts throughout but have repaid them with contempt, first with a paltry pay offer and now by axing free parking for NHS staff.
“With the cost of living spiralling the Government should be giving NHS workers a proper pay rise, not adding to their bills with this measure.”
Peter Gibson MP, Andy McDonald MP and Matt Vickers MP were approached for comment but The Northern Echo did not receive a response.
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