Free parking for NHS staff that was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic will end on tomorrow in England, Sajid Javid has said. The Health Secretary issued a statement on Tuesday (March 29) announcing the government-funded perk would come to an end at the end of this month, Friday April 1.
However, he added that many NHS trusts have chosen to implement free parking for those in 'greatest need', including front line staff who are working night shifts. A number of hospital trusts across Greater Manchester have decided that they will absorb the cost of parking, keeping it free for staff in the coming weeks, before making a formal decision about a long-term approach.
Among the trusts that are keeping staff car parking free, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the Royal Bolton Hospital.
In a tweet, the trust said: "We’ve postponed the reintroduction of charges to give us time to review our arrangements and understand what’s most important to our staff."
Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust, which runs Prestwich Hospital, has confirmed this is also its stance on the parking policy following the health secretary's announcement.
The Northern Care Alliance, which operates a host of hospitals and care facilities - including Fairfield General, Salford Royal Hospital, the Royal Oldham, and Rochdale Infirmary, is also taking time before making a decision to reintroduce staff tariffs outright.
Andrew Montgomery, Deputy Director, Estates, Facilities & Capital Development for Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, said: "From 1 April 2022 we will no longer receive the subsidy from central government - introduced during the COVID19 pandemic - for car parking costs which enabled us to temporarily provide free parking for colleagues.
"We will absorb these costs in the immediate term, whilst research and engagement with colleagues is carried out by our Travel, Access and Parking Task and Finish Group, made up of more than 40 representatives from across the NCA.
"The Trust is currently engaging with colleagues to gather feedback on these important and often challenging issues and will provide regular communications out to colleagues after each meeting on progress made, and any proposed changes. They will also give colleagues three months’ notice of any intended changes relating to parking charges, enabling them to make any necessary arrangements.”
The UK's largest NHS trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust - operating Manchester Royal Infirmary, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, North Manchester General, Wythenshawe, Trafford General, the dental and eye hospitals, Altrincham Hospital and Withington Community Hospital, is taking a similar approach.
The trust told staff yesterday (March 30): "The government has announced that the principle of temporary free car parking for NHS staff will come to an end on Thursday March 31, as part of its Living With Covid steps.
"MFT will not be implementing any changes in April - confirmation of the date that staff charging re-commences will follow. Therefore, staff arrangements stay as they currently are and we will update further in due course."
For Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the Birch Hill hospital site in Rochdale, parking has always been free for staff and will continue to be, a spokesperson has said.
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, however, has confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that it will be among the trusts reintroducing parking costs for its staff from tomorrow, Friday April 1.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust have all been approached for their latest parking updates.
