Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Ninewells Hospital parking fees will be halted for 12 weeks
PARKING charges for NHS staff at Ninewells Hospital are to be suspended for three months, starting next week.
The move, which comes after a growing clamour of calls in Dundee, was announced by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman at Holyrood yesterday.
Ms Freeman said: “We cannot have barriers to staff working in the NHS.”
Patients, staff, community and political leaders have all said it was imperative charges were halted during the coronavirus outbreak.
West End councillor Richard McCready was among those who welcomed the decision.
He said: “I want firstly to pay tribute to the staff who work at Ninewells and who are working hard to keep us all safe and well at this very difficult time.
“It is entirely appropriate that the hard work of NHS staff is recognised and that they should not be asked to pay for car parking especially at a time when their transport options are becoming more limited.’
Reacting to news that free parking will come into effect on Monday, North East region Scottish Conservative MSP Bill Bowman said: “The Scottish Government, NHS Tayside and Saba have responded to public pressure and got around the table.
“I believe this gesture will boost morale among our hardworking hospital staff.
“Hopes were high that this measure would be in place tomorrow. So it is disappointing that NHS employees will have to wait almost a week.
“The cabinet secretary said the arrangement will last three months.
“It must be extended at that point, if the need is still there.”
Lochee Labour councillor Charlie Malone previously contacted parking company Saba on behalf of “thousands of Dundonians who have registered support for NHS staff” demanding an i mmediate suspension of charges at the hospital.
He said: “I welcome decision.
this
“It is the right thing for staff and will be good for morale.
“Currently, NHS staff who are at the front line of efforts to help the sick are placing themselves at risk.
“News from across the world indicates the threat to health and wellbeing is real and tragically there have been fatalities.”
Ninewells staff had also written to Saba warning workers using parking meters could spread infection.
One nurse said: “Our team are working around the clock to ensure as many of our community stay alive and well to go home and be with their families as possible.
“The only people in the hospital at the moment are staff who are working to ensure we get through this pandemic.
“This is a difficult time for them both emotionally and financially, but regardless they will continue to go over and above to do their jobs well, putting themselves at risk for the public.”