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Infirmary staff critical of increase in car parking charge

Date published: 29 May 2007

The decision by Pennine Hospital Trust to increase car parking charges for staff at Rochdale Infirmary has come in for severe criticism from staff. In a letter to staff, John Wilkes, Director of Services sought to put a positive 'spin' on the increase by explaining that the fee will now be fixed until 2010 thus mitigating the percentage rise. What he failed to highlight was that between 2005 and 2007 the fee has increased from £6.33 to £10 in 2005, and now to £14 - a huge increase in just over two years.

Staff are also critical of the barrier scheme with many wondering how it will help and in particular how it will create more spaces.

Parking is often chaotic at Rochdale Infirmary with simply hundreds more cars than legitimate spaces but with some staff being relocated to sites away from where they live and chose to work, car travel is sometimes the only possible option.

A staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "It would be interesting to see some cost analysis of the trust's parking income and expenditure - current and planned. If this move is primarily to help with the financial deficit, then at least the Trust should admit that fact.

"Making parking easy for patients does seem to have been forgotten. Difficulty finding somewhere to park adds unnecessary worry and stress."

The letter sent by Mr Wilkes:

Dear Colleague

Revision of Staff Car Parking Charges

I write to inform you that staff car parking charges in the Trust will be increasing from 1 July 2007.

The £10 monthly charge will rise to £14, and the £15 charge will rise to £21. Charges have not increased for two years, but we need to take this step now to ensure that security provision and services can be maintained.

The new rates will apply until 2010. Our decision to fix the rates until then means that staff will only see this single increase in the five years between 2005 and 2010. In addition, the new charges will apply from 1 July 2007, two months later than was originally proposed.
The new rates have been benchmarked against other Greater Manchester Trusts. If, however, you do not wish to pay the new rate, then please return your permit to:

(.. contact details for the sites ...)

If you do wish to retain your permit then you do not need to take any action - the next rate will be automatically deducted from pay after 1 July 2007.

There are increasing numbers of cars coming onto our sites now, and several staff have raised the issue of availability of spaces with me. I am pleased to say that we will shortly be introducing a barrier system which should benefit both staff and visitors.

In addition, the Trust has recently appointed a travel and access manager, who will play a key role in developing our longer-term strategy in these
areas.

Yours sincerely

J Wilkes
DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES

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