£220 per year to park you car at work, the joys of the NHS.

[pwa]

We have parked in the car park of the Princess of Wales Hospital about twenty times over the past week, visiting my Dad who is okay now but needed life saving care a few days back. Do you think people in our position should be paying to park?

Absolutely - just as you would be expected to pay the bus fare had you chosen a more sustainable form of transport.

It never ceases to amaze me that you are just as likely to encounter motorists special pleading on a cycle forum as you are in the pages of the D****y M**l.

The Welsh public don't think that, which is why parking fees are being phased out at Welsh Hospitals.

Maybe the Welsh public does believe that spending NHS cash on subsidising motorists is a higher priority than say medical professionals or equipment.

To get to and from the hospital by public transport for us would involve two buses each way, and one of those is an hourly service. The journey might take an hour and a half each way. For five miles or so. My Mum is 83 and recently had a pacemaker fitted. Would you make her use the bus?

Most of us don't want to be visiting a hospital. It's something that coincides with families feeling low, possibly in crisis. And for those of us who are working, squeezing in hospital visits can be tiring even with a car. Every day is a logistical challenge, on top of concern for the sick family member, and going round to their home to check the post. Sustainable transport is low on our list of priorities right now.

[thirdcrank]

In common with many other public services, the NHS has increasingly been run on the assumption that everybody has access to easy transport, when that's just not the case. It's even so with many "community" services, which in reality would be better described as "located in the suburbs." eg When my late mother was still living independently in LS12 with support from me, the eye clinic (cataracts) was at the far side of LS10 which would have meant two buses for each way taking several hours. Similarly, my first grandson's baby clinic was in LS12, two buses each way from LS27. At least we were able then to park at my mother's flat and walk to the nearby health centre for his appointments.

[Mick F]

Our main hospital - Derriford Hospital - is a 15min walk from the park and ride.
Park for free, wait up to half an hour for a bus, or walk.

I walk even though I have a bus pass. I can't be bothered waiting for the bus, though if there's one about to leave, I'll take it.

I wouldn't even consider paying to park a car in Derriford Hospital.
It's extortionate IMO.

However, if I give blood every time I visit, I park for free.
https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/pa ... -derriford

[Pete Owens]

To demand people to pay to park at their place of work is diabolical,

Oh dear, yet another poster to the cycle forum outs themself as an entitled motorist.

The real scandal is that the free car storage that some employers offer to their car-owning employees is not treated as a benefit in kind by the tax authorities.

The NHS of all employers should be in a position to understand the long term health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle so should be discouraging their employees from travelling to work by car.

[Tangled Metal]

Well I'm seeing this from a purely selfish point of view because I'm a nasty tory. If I have to pay for parking then so should nhs employees.

Oh! Just remember I work out of town in an industrial estate and get free bike storage so I don't actually pay for parking neither.

Perhaps that's the answer, nhs staff get free but very good and secure cycle parking / storage but charged for parking. Encourage healthy travel to work by penalise unhealthy and polluting travel. The NHS should perhaps lead by example considering they're involved heavily in the health business.

As far as patients and visitors go, well I've been paying for hospital parking in pretty sure my whole life, well parents when a kid but personally as an adult. I grumble about it but I don't see why I should be subsidised.even if I am seeing my dad rather a lot in a distressing state for a son to see. TBH I'd pay whatever I had to pay, grumble, look for cheaper options (weekly or monthly tickets) but ultimately pay it then move on because quite frankly if I need hospital parking I've got more important things to think about.

[reohn2]

To demand people to pay to park at their place of work is diabolical,

Oh dear, yet another poster to the cycle forum outs themself as an entitled motorist.

The real scandal is that the free car storage that some employers offer to their car-owning employees is not treated as a benefit in kind by the tax authorities.

The NHS of all employers should be in a position to understand the long term health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle so should be discouraging their employees from travelling to work by car.

The fact is that a lot of people live a long way from their work,and not always by choice.Therefore due to the poor public transport systems in the UK believe it or not they need a car other wise their lives would consist of all bed and work.
When in Wigan Infirmary two years ago I was nursed by a young student nurse who was on specialist placement and lived in Moss Side Manchester,her commute by public transport was 2+ hours each way either side of a 12 hour shift.
Wrightington hospital where I had my hip replaced last year is in an out of the way place with not much housing close by and not well served by public transport so a car is essential for a lot of the staff.
When I worked at Parkside Colliery in Newton me Willows now closed up until the mid 80's it was the last colliery in the Lancashire coal field and at its peak employed 1700 people,1000 when I worked there,it was the Colliery where staff was transpired to from pits closing down all over Lancashire from as far away as Hapton Valley some people travelling upto 30+ the,no one paid for parking.
If you think it's fair to ask staff to move house at the drop of a hat or pay for parking their necessary car to go to work,or like nurses be on your feet all day then expect them to walk or cycle the 5 plus miles to and from work each day because of poor public transport it's your prerogative ,but I don't.
And I'll repeat it's diabolical to expect hospital staff to pay for parking!

PS,I'm guessing yourself and TM don't do a physical job that leaves physicall knackered at the end of your working day

EDITED for typos and clarity

[reohn2]

Well I'm seeing this from a purely selfish point of view because I'm a nasty tory......

If the cap fits

[[XAP]Bob]

Or maybe we should be insisting on better public transport links.

The 'oh we built this hospital twenty miles away from the workforce' is a feeble excuse for then subsidising only one form of transport (particularly such a destructive one)

[reohn2]

Or maybe we should be insisting on better public transport links.

The 'oh we built this hospital twenty miles away from the workforce' is a feeble excuse for then subsidising only one form of transport (particularly such a destructive one)

Perhaps the two go hand in hand eh! Though penalising the workforce for the lack of the former and bad placement of the latter isn't the answer though is it?
Especially when they're pretty much powerless to do anything about it one way or another and subject to descisions made by executives with a couple of more noughts on the end of their annual salary.

[LollyKat]

Our local university sells staff parking permits for about £200 p.a., but they don't guarantee a space. Local parking is very restricted, but public transport is reasonable.

[Tangled Metal]

Why should employees deserve free parking? Land costs and parking costs but nhs deserve subsidising?

BTW don't keep making assumptions about me. I've done my 12+ hour shifts before, sweating my b*****ks off then ridden my bike home at stupid o'clock because there's only bike to get home. Yes I'm not a nurse or doctor but I'm not earning their money neither.

BTW I don't see nhs staff as any more deserving of special treatment. I know a lot on here do. My views on subsidized employee parking would remain no matter whether I had socialist or tory views.

I see value in all workers and if you put the effort in I value you equally. Every worker is equal to me if they put the effort in and do the job to the best of their ability. Reward for that should come in direct pay not perks and subsidies.

If you're telling me that they pay isn't enough so subsidy is needed then you are looking at it backwards. Argue about more pay not more perks.

[Cyril Haearn]

Well I'm seeing this from a purely selfish point of view because I'm a nasty tory......

If the cap fits

Do we have a tory, a nasty tory on here?
Willy Whitelaw was a nice tory from up there, I think he had a moderating influence on SWMBO Thatcher

[Tangled Metal]

Well I'm seeing this from a purely selfish point of view because I'm a nasty tory......

If the cap fits

Do we have a tory, a nasty tory on here?
Willy Whitelaw was a nice tory from up there, I think he had a moderating influence on SWMBO Thatcher

I'm no more nasty than the Lefties are. Just another human being making their way in life. It's just easier to take the nasty tory tag than argue sometimes. It's all just opinions afterall.

All the nice politicians left the house of commons years ago. Well I suppose Tim Farron is nice but not sure I know of any other nice MPs.

[TrevA]

My local hospital charges both staff and patients to park and you still can hardly get a space if you are a patient or visiting. Parking space is at a premium, so I can see why they charge. There is a Park and Ride that's free for staff but patients have to pay about £1.50 each way. Still a lot cheaper than paying £6 for a 3 hour stay. The hospital is well served by public transport as it has a tram stop outside and is served by several buses.

A lot of NHS staff do cycle to work, the rather chubby but very nice nurse who was taking my blood on my last visit, was asking about the weather as she had cycled in that day. A lot of them have the yellow waterproof hanging on the back of their door, which gives them away as a cyclist.

[reohn2]

Why should employees deserve free parking? Land costs and parking costs but nhs deserve subsidising?

How many people pay to park on a works car park,especially when there workplace isn't serviced well by public transport or they don't cycle?
Are you saying they should be by law?

BTW don't keep making assumptions about me. I've done my 12+ hour shifts before, sweating my b*****ks off then ridden my bike home at stupid o'clock because there's only bike to get home. Yes I'm not a nurse or doctor but I'm not earning their money neither.

I did say I was guessing,and I'm guessing you're not doing that type of work now.
You also make my point for me when you mention unsocial hours working and having only the bike to get you home.
If you think a 50 or 60 yearold nurse should be penalised for those unsocial hours finishing times,by having to pay for their parking that's your choice and we'll have to agree to differ.
As for nurses and doctors pay,they deserve it and more IMO,and you have the option to train up if you think their pay and conditions are so good

BTW I don't see nhs staff as any more deserving of special treatment. I know a lot on here do. My views on subsidized employee parking would remain no matter whether I had socialist or tory views.

It isn't special treatment to have somewhere to park your car free in a car park at your place of work,especially if that place isn't served well enough by public transport and you work unsocial hours when public transport can be non-existent.

I see value in all workers and if you put the effort in I value you equally. Every worker is equal to me if they put the effort in and do the job to the best of their ability. Reward for that should come in direct pay not perks and subsidies

.
That all depends on what you term as 'perks and subsidises' parking at your place of work isnt IMO.

If you're telling me that they pay isn't enough so subsidy is needed then you are looking at it backwards. Argue about more pay not more perks.

I'm not 'looking at it backwards' but suggest you are.
I do think NHS workers and particularly nurses pay and conditions have been eroded and the NHS is being starved of funding year on year,whilst the highest paid in society pay less and less tax in the same period,leaving NHS trusts to charge their workers to park in their badly served by public tranport sights to help make up some of the shortfall.