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 today (Thursday, March 31).
The two Trusts - responsible for Southmead Hospital, the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and Weston General Hospital - both said they are reviewing their approach to staff car parking and therefore would delay the introduction of charges.
The news will be a relief to NHS staff across the city ahead of the unprecedented rise in energy bills and National Insurance payments from April 1, and it follows The Mirror's revelation that Members of Parliament are entitled to free parking at the House of Commons, and that nearly £10k was paid out in constituency parking expenses for MPs and their staff last year.
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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 MP also agreed at the time that local councils would offer free car parking to all NHS workers and social care staff during the coronavirus outbreak.
Then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at the time: "Our NHS is facing an unprecedented challenge, and I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need during this unprecedented time. So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day in hospitals across England."
The current health secretary, Bristol-raised Sajid Javid, has now scrapped that 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% of NHS trusts that charge for car parking have implemented free parking for those in greatest need, including NHS staff working overnight," reports PA.
Despite the government's move to reintroduce the charges, both the 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 that parking would remain free while it "reviews its overall approach to car parking".
A spokesperson told Bristol Live: “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. We will continue to provide a broad range of advice and guidance to help staff find sustainable modes of transport, including a bike loan scheme, access to e-scooters, car sharing and via public transport.”
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 that they would not be reintroducing charges as it reviews the situation.
A spokesperson for the Trust told Bristol Live: “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.
“We have introduced a number of initiatives to support staff to travel to work using sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, car sharing and public transport. This includes increased secure cycle storage and welfare facilities, personalised travel to work plans for staff, and we will be introducing an enhanced hospital bus shuttle service that will operate more frequently and for longer hours.”
