Plymouth NHS staff face rising car parking fees

NHS staff in the South West have been hit with over £6 million in car parking fees, according to new reports.

GMB Union confirmed to The Moorlander that the two trusts which trousered the most were University Hospitals Plymouth Trust, which took in more than £1.2 million, followed by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with more than £1.1 million.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, formerly Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, is the organisation that runs Derriford Hospital and the co-located Royal Eye Infirmary.

GMB’s NHS pay claim, submitted earlier this year, calls for NHS staff car parking charges to be scrapped.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: "NHS workers have had their first above inflation pay rise after almost 15 years of cuts. They’ve suffered rocketing workloads, chronic understaffing, and the fallout from a global pandemic. Health workers are on their knees – they need help and support. Charging them to park is kicking them while they are down. GMB calls on the Government and NHS employers to do the right thing and scrap staff car parking charges."

John Stephens, Director of Estates and Facilities at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: "Staff car parking costs have remained unchanged at £2.50 since 2014, apart from a period during and shortly after the pandemic when charges were reduced. Parking for staff overnight or with blue badges is free of charge, and there is a discount on the daily rate for staff on lower salaries who pay monthly.

"Staff car parking income is used to offset the costs associated with running our car parks, such as security and ongoing maintenance. These charges are also used to help subsidise travel costs elsewhere including our travel-to-work schemes."