As nursing staff at our local hospital, we recently encountered an upsetting change in our circumstances. Our hospital has started charging for overnight parking, resulting in night staff, including ourselves, paying £9 for safe parking. During my last visit, my car parked on the road right next to the hospital was dangerously targeted for a break-in. We are now forced to choose between personal safety and the cost of secure parking.
It is a distressing situation that calls for a much-needed review of the ‘NHS car parking guidance 2021’ for NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts. Sadly, the current definition of the 'night shift' commences at 7.30pm, excluding many of us who start our shifts earlier while still enduring night-time conditions. This definition thereby unfairly deprives us of free overnight parking.
Night shift nursing staff, amounting to roughly 30% of the hospital workforce (according to NHS Workforce Statistics), are at the forefront of healthcare delivery during unsociable hours. They play a crucial role in continuous patient care, and their safety and well-being should not be compromised.
We urge the NHS to revise the existing guidance for 'night shift' to include those of us whose shifts start before 7.30pm. This change will not only alleviate the financial burden but also bolster the safety of dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to keep the healthcare service running around the clock. Please, sign this petition and support your nursing staff.