The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has confirmed that staff and visitors at St Mary’s Hospital will not have to start paying for parking again just yet, despite a Government announcement this week.
Officials in Westminster have announced that parking charges will be reinstated for staff at hospitals up and down the country from this Friday (1st April). However, the local NHS is taking a different approach.
Since the start of the pandemic, staff and visitors to the Island’s only hospital haven’t had to pay for parking – a move welcomed by all.
Now, as the pandemic enters the next stage and restrictions are lifted even further, car parks at St Mary’s are to remain free for all – with 6 weeks’ notice set to be given when, or if, it is decided the time is right to reintroduce parking fees.
Further changes to restrictions at St Mary’s are expected to be announced within the next day or so.
Thank you St Mary’s NHS Trust. This will help the staff and visitors.
Good on St Mary’s, it is wrong to charge people when they are ill, they should find a way to identify those who use it a a free park and ride though, perhaps a voucher system issued by whichever department the person is visiting.
Well done St Mary’s…
Although to be honest I don’t think staff should have to pay ever !!!!!!
Because..? Because an admin person in a 9-5 job working for the NHS is higher on the hierarchy chart than a IWC admin worker in a 9-5 job? Really?
Free park and ride – this is great news for anyone working in Newport!