A raging NHS worker has shared an image depicting the grim reality of fed-up hospital staff who feel punished for parking at their workplace.
The photo showing a line of cars slapped with penalty notices outside Hull Royal Infirmary, where the furious medical professional said workers were being made to feel like "second-class citizens".
Several cars on the street running alongside one of the hospital's main buildings can be seen with the dreaded yellow fines stuck to the windscreens.
The staff member, who did not want to be named, told Hull Live the situation had become "ridiculous", claiming she was left feeling regularly anxious about finishing her shift to be met with a ticket.
Like many across the country, Hull's hospital trust has faced fierce criticism over staff parking policies, with spaces prioritised for clinical care and on-call workers, and those who can't easily use public transport.
"It seems their mission to be carbon neutral is a huge priority over their hard-working, loyal staff," said the woman.
"If you cycle to work or walk or use the bus they love you.
"If you dare to need to use the car you are treated like second-class citizens.
"This is the thanks we get for our service and I am disgusted."
Currently, staff at the hospital are charged £1 a day to use the staff car park.
Limited spaces however mean many are getting up and driving to work long before shifts begin to secure a spot to avoid on-street parking fines.
Staff face the "threat of parking tickets daily", the woman said, adding that she wished that they could easily "arrive at work in a relaxed fashion, park up and start work".
One worker at the hospital told last year how she had racked up 10 fines, costing her hundreds which she struggled to afford as a single mum.
Lynsey Robinson, a theatre nurse at the hospital, said she was also fined after parking in the patient car park to take her son to a medical appointment despite it being free to visitors at the time.
"It makes you feel really unappreciated and I think it’s really unacceptable to treat us like this," said the mum.
"That £30 fine is about a third of someone’s weekly food shop – and we don’t get paid a huge amount for what we do as it is."
A spokesperson for Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust said: "Due to construction of a new patient facility on Gladstone Street, we have temporarily cordoned off around 130 spaces in the main car park.
"Most of these will be restored once the new unit opens shortly.
"The trust is working hard investing in infrastructure estate and facilities to reduce our carbon footprint towards a goal of net zero by 2030.
"We are supporting our staff with sustainable travel options including discounted bus routes and free park and ride options."
Addressing the £1 daily charge, the trust spokesperson said that under the previous system people paid a "flat amount each month" regardless of whether or not they used their car, and that they would also have to pay if they were on holiday or off sick.
Parking charge notices were issued if people did not park in accordance with the trust’s terms and conditions, including parking in areas for emergency or hospital services, on pavements, or restricting access for other motorists and pedestrians.
