The Government's decision to reinstate parking fees for NHS staff has sparked a backlash. Health Secretary Sajid Javid issued a statement this week to say the goodwill gesture, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic and funded by the Government, would end this month.
Mr Javid added the caveat that more than 93pc of hospitals would continue free parking for some staff, including those working overnight. However, following two years in which the NHS workforce has worked tirelessly battling wave after wave of a mutating virus, the decision has been met with derision in many quarters.
Raising questions around the working lives of MPs who enjoy free parking, subsidies and expenses, readers were also quick to note how the perk was being lifted at a time of financial hardship for many, while it has also raised questions around whether partients should have to pay for parking.
READ MORE; Free parking for NHS staff to end on Friday, Sajid Javid announces
Richard Harrison described the move as 'disgusting profiteering', while Sue Gill said: "Where else do you have to pay to park while at work? MP's? No, they have a manned underground garage to keep their expensive cars nice and safe.
"And why do outpatients and visitors have to pay to park at a hospital? I understand that you'll always get people parking up to go shopping, but surely there must be some sort of system where hospital users could get free parking and others have to pay?"
Megan Wathes branded the move 'unfair' and said parking should be free, while Claire Pinless added: "Well they’ve given themselves a pay rise when the NHS got a clap. They had a party while the NHS worked hard & made sacrifices. So are we surprised they’ve scraped free parking?"
Kez Isbell described the retraction as an 'absolute joke', while Louise Jordan added: "Let's cripple the NHS even more by making more already overworked staff want to leave. Madness!"
Pamela Montford speculated how such a move might impact other essential workers, adding: "The majority of health care workers work long hours and don't get paid nearly enough as it is, imagine if they had to pay hourly for parking it wouldn't be worth their while working."
Andy Sidorzuck, meanwhile, said NHS staff should be kept 'as happy as possible', adding: "Free parking so they can save lives should be a given, AND we should give them a pay rise."
Bernadette Grindaly added: "This is absolutely disgusting especially after the salary increases the government gave themselves." Carol Box called for MPs' expenses to be capped, adding: "It has to be stopped along with all the subsidies they get they earn enough anyway and we are paying them through our taxes."
Sarah Byrne questioned the safety of making staff search for a parking space, adding: "Considering some staff finish shift around midnight, I question how safe this will be. It’s not as if they’ll all be walking out at the same time and if they’re having to pay some may choose to park further afield to save money. I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this."
What do you make of the decision? Have your say in our comments below.
Vanessa Barry suggested it was all part of a bigger game plan for the Government, adding: "This Government appear to be making it almost impossible for people to go to work. After all the never ending charges for this, that and everything else, not to mention the crippling cost of living rise, nurses will just start to leave the profession which could be just what the government want, as there aren't enough staff as it is. Privatisation on the cards still I think."
Meanwhile, NHS staff also had their say on the statement. Helen Clayton said: "Great I've just accepted a full time job at a hospital whereby due to the inept public transport system in the North I can't get there any other way than by car. I've just worked out after fuel, parking and paying for a dog walker daily I'll actually be better off doing part time hours on a nlw job nearer home."
Leonie Grundy said: "We shouldn’t have to pay to park and community staff shouldn’t have to pay for fuel. Ridiculous considering we also pay registration fees, union fees and those of us who work in community need to keep our car maintained, business insurance and all the rest of it!
Joanne Norbury added: "I get abused on a regular basis and have notes left on my windscreen for parking outside people's houses, I never have or never would block a drive and always park respectfully." And Lee Lowe added: "In all fairness it's down to individual trusts if staff pays for parking. I pay to park at my trust."
While Janet Barford went against the grain, adding: "Lots of work places now charge for parking so in line with others - I do respect NHS staff immensely but not sure if their car parking should be free."
And Stephen Nightingale was all for it, adding: "Why shouldn't NHS workers pay for parking ,other workers in other industries have to pay for commutes & parking. It part & parcel of being a worker not many work places offer free parking."
