Car parking fees should be waived for all healthcare staff working at hospitals in England during the pandemic, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) urges today.
More hospital staff will want to drive to work during this crisis, as public transport services are being reduced and carries a risk of infection.
The RCN is therefore demanding that governments and relevant employers across the UK immediately abolish all car parking charges, whether they supply the facilities directly or indirectly, for all staff, covering all shifts and working patterns.
The Scottish Government has already responded to RCN Scotland’s calls and suspended charges at the three hospitals still charging in Scotland. Car parking charges for staff in Northern Ireland have also been removed, and parking is already free in Wales.
RCN England Director Mike Adams said:
“Healthcare staff at hospitals in England are working tirelessly to fight this pandemic. Car parking charges must be waived for staff working in hospitals in these exceptional times. Staff travelling to work at this stressful time should not have to face the extra worry of parking charges when they are struggling to work to protect and save lives.
“It would be a welcome gesture of support by employers to recognise the dedication to duty shown by healthcare staff. They are working above and beyond the call of duty around the clock to care for patients and support their colleagues.”
