Grimsby and Scunthorpe react as free NHS parking to be axed

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which runs both hospitals, has announced plans to reintroduce charges as of July 1st.

Speaking to The Lincolnite, a spokesperson for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation trust said:

“We were able to provide our staff with free parking during the pandemic as a result of a government subsidy, which was granted to all NHS trusts.

“Regretfully, after this subsidy comes to an end tomorrow (Friday, March 31) we will not be able to continue to offer our staff free parking in the long term.

“However, we wanted to ensure our staff were given as much notice as possible and, as such, charging will not resume until Friday, 1 July.”

But the decision has been met with controversy, with locals branding it ‘shocking’ and ‘disgusting’.

Reacting to an earlier article published by Gi Grimsby News, one person said: “This is disgusting.

“Hospital parking should be free for everyone – you’re either there because you or a loved one is suffering, or because you are saving lives. Why should you have to pay for that?”

Another wrote “Absolute madness, it’s like they’re paying to work there. Staff parking should always be free!

“It is absolutely possible for the hospital to facilitate this but they would rather prioritise revenue over the wellbeing of their hard working staff in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.”

One person wrote: “I don’t understand how their staff can be charged a fee to be allowed to work?

“Surely if they are working there, saving lives for inadequate pay, free parking should be a no brainer?”

“Unable to, or unwilling to?” questioned another.

What do you think of the move? Let us know in the comments!