Cleethorpes union slams NHS staff parking charges
The Cleethorpes branch of the GMB union has criticised the planned reintroduction of parking charges for NHS hospital staff.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the local hospital, has announced plans to axe the free scheme which was introduced during the first lockdown and impose charges as of July 1st.
Speaking last week 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 both unions and locals alike branding it ‘shocking’ and ‘disgusting’.
Now, speaking to Planet Radio, a spokesperson for the GMB union in Cleethorpes has explained how the decision will directly impact NHS health services.
They said: “It’s one of the worst cost of living issues of a generation”.
“Gas bills rose on April 1st, at the same time the Government has decided they’re going to reintroduce this 90 million pound parking bill for NHS staff.”
“A lot of our members are now looking for jobs elsewhere, they’re looking to move out of the sector and come away from the NHS”.
“A lot of that is a direct result of the decisions this Government has taken”.
Unions across the region have agreed with the suggestion that bringing back car parking charges for hospital staff will lead to worrying consequences for individuals and the NHS.
Updates to follow.
Contact Gi Grimsby
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
Follows us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest local stories, breaking news and to join the conversation