Trusts to delay introduction of NHS staff car parking charges
THE two NHS trusts in Bristol are delaying the introduction of car parking charges for NHS staff at hospitals, spokespeople have confirmed.
This comes after the government announced the free provision would be scrapped from yesterday.
The two Trusts – responsible for Southmead Hospital, the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and Weston General Hospital – said they are reviewing their approach to staff car parking and therefore would delay the introduction of charges.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government pledged to cover the costs of providing free car parking to NHS staff working in hospitals during the unprecedented time. The Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick also agreed local councils would offer free car parking to all NHS workers and social care staff during the outbreak.
Current health secretary, Bristolraised Sajid Javid, has now scrapped the free provision, writing in a statement to Parliament: “Free parking in hospital car parks for NHS staff introduced during the pandemic will also come to an end on March 31. However, over 93 per cent of NHS trusts that charge for car parking have implemented free parking for those in greatest need, including NHS staff working overnight.”
Both North Bristol NHS Trust and the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust have decided to delay the rollout of parking charges.
The North Bristol NHS Trust – responsible for Southmead Hospital, along with the Step Inside centres, Cossham Hospital, Bristol Centre for Enablement, and the Frenchay Hospital – said parking would remain free while it “reviews its overall approach to car parking”.
A spokesperson said: “North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) has decided to delay the introduction of car parking charges for staff as it reviews its overall approach to car parking.”
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust – responsible for the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Weston General Hospital, Bristol Royal Hospital For Children, St Michaels Hospital, and others – also confirmed they would not be reintroducing charges as it reviews the situation.
A spokesperson for the Trust said: “We continue to offer free on-site parking for our staff. We have no plans to immediately reinstate charges for staff but are reviewing the situation and will inform staff in advance should this change.”