NHS trusts have no plans to scrap free staff parking

HOSPITAL trusts in the Black Country are set to snub Government advice and refuse to reintroduce parking charges for NHS workers following a suspension during the pandemic.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced free parking across the board for NHS staff would end on Friday, prompting criticism from unions. NHS workers were routinely charged for parking until the pandemic struck two years ago when the practice was temporarily scrapped.

Mr Javid said the pandemic had moved to a “new stage” and it was time to return to operating as normal.

But charging hospital staff for parking was a contentious issue long before the pandemic, with union bosses labelling it unfair.

Hospital trusts in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell told the Post they currently had no plans to reinstate staff parking charges in a boost for workers, but added the situation would be kept under review.

The Government has stressed it is “delivering on our manifesto commitment to provide free hospital car parking to thousands more NHS patients and visitors”.

Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, while Sandwell and West

Birmingham NHS Trust runs Sandwell General and Birmingham City hospitals. Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust oversees Walsall Manor. The three trusts have made more than £13 million from parking charges since 2018.

A spokeswoman for the Wolverhampton and Walsall NHS trusts said: “We do not currently have plans to reinstate staff parking charges. This will be kept under review.”