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Government announces end to free hospital parking for all nurses in England

Parking charges for NHS staff will be reintroduced as COVID-19 pandemic eases
Parking charges

Parking charges for NHS staff will be reintroduced as COVID-19 pandemic eases


Picture: iStock

Free hospital parking for all nurses in England will end once the COVID-19 pandemic begins to ease, the government has said.

The cost of parking for NHS staff has been covered by the government since 25 March as part of measures to support workers during the pandemic.  

But the Department of Health and Social Care has said the free parking will continue only for ‘key patient groups and NHS staff in certain circumstances’ as the pandemic eases, but has given no further details or timeline for this change.

RCN director says move will damage government’s relationship with nurses

In December last year the government committed to introducing free parking at NHS trust car parks in England for staff working night shifts, blue badge holders, and patients who must regularly attend appointments for long-term conditions.


Mike Adams: This reversal suggests 
nurses are not 'truly valued'

This was meant to be introduced in April but has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to news of the government withdrawing support for free parking, RCN director for England Mike Adams said the move would damage the government’s relationship with nurses.

‘The government made a positive decision to support healthcare workers during the first wave of the pandemic by removing parking charges,’ he said.

‘Reversing this now would not give the impression that their professionalism and commitment is truly valued.’

Prime minister dismisses concerns about rising expenses for NHS staff

Concerns about the impact of the funding withdrawal on staff were also raised by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions on 8 July.

‘The prime minister will know this could cost hundreds of pounds a month for our nurses, doctors and support staff,’ he said.

‘We owe our NHS workers so much. We all clap for them, we should be rewarding them, not making it more expensive to go to work.’

Prime minister Boris Johnson dismissed Mr Starmer’s request for the issue to be reconsidered.

‘May I suggest he takes his latest bandwagon and parks it free somewhere else,’ Mr Johnson said.


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