Free parking for KGH staff 'to be reviewed'

Staff on the frontline at Kettering General Hospital may have to pay to park at work again in just a few weeks.

Those working at the Rothwell Road hospital were handed a boost earlier this year when the hospital scrapped charges for those with an existing permit.

Staff who were parking in their off-site Robinson Way car park were also told they could park in Car Park B and any staff without a permit could allowed to park in Robinson Way - which has a shuttle bus to the hospital - for free without needing to apply for a permit.

But Government ministers have now confirmed the emergency measures “cannot continue indefinitely” and KGH's chief people officer, Mark Smith, said it will be reviewed at the end of the month.

He said: “The trust can confirm free parking will continue for staff until the end of July when we will review the situation in conjunction with national guidance.”

The move by Government ministers has prompted a backlash from trade unions, who described it as "short-sighted".

Unison East Midlands regional orgainser, Elliot Dean, said: "NHS staff across Northamptonshire have worked incredibly hard throughout this pandemic and just a few weeks ago millions of people stood outside their homes and clapped in recognition of staffs outstanding contributions.

"It's now time for all NHS employers in Northamptonshire to put their money where their mouth is and scrap car parking charges for NHS staff.

"NHS staff pay thousands of pounds each year to park at work, while often on arrival not being able to find a space, leading them to have extra stress and worry distracting them from the vital work of saving lives and making people better again.

"With the NHS's Covid-19 response planned until at least March 2021 this move is shortsighted and would see many NHS staff taking public transport causing unnecessary risk to themselves and the wider public across the county."

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