Sheffielders have their say on staff having to pay to park at city's hospitals for work
Star readers have had their say
Star readers are divided over whether NHS workers should have to pay to use the city’s hospitals when they are working.
They expressed their views after it emerged that Sheffield hospital workers pay over £1m a year to park.
While the majority of readers are overwhelmingly supportive of hospital workers, a strong segment argue that staff in other sectors have to suck it up and pay to park for work or find another mode of transport.
A number of commentators reason that the cost of maintaining car parks - if not met by users - would drain money destined for patient care.
However plenty of those with an opinion site examples of other hospitals which provide a park and ride model with a capped contribution from staff.
Andrew Codling contests that, apart from perhaps out of hours workers, who should be “subsidised”, or those whose car forms part of their job, paying to park is “perfectly fair”.
He said: “I'm afraid land for parking at the Northern General Hospital and especially Royal Hallamshire Hospital is very limited. It isn't feasible to encourage more commuting by car with free parking.
“No such thing as free. Land costs money to purchase, maintain, light and keep secure. That cost needs to be paid for, at least in part by the car owner - so they need to factor parking into the cost of running a vehicle.
“I know it sounds harsh but organisations like the NHS can’t afford to subsidise motorists to the extent that they would like.
“People argue that places like Meadowhall have free parking but the cost is borne by the businesses who benefit from shoppers and the higher prices in the shops and venues. As we say in Yorkshire, tha dunt get owt for nowt!”
With perhaps a more sympathetic perspective Yvonne Eason and Lisa Carroll talk about a “shuttle bus” service.
Yvonne said: “I think it would be good to have a central parking place free of charge and then shuttle buses that run 24 hours but out of hours at a reduced running time.
“This would free up spaces for relatives and patients and also allow staff to be able to park for free.”
Lisa added : “Park and ride works well at Doncaster. I think the trusts should look at alternative options. If staff worked late at night the bus collection and pick up points had security at hand to provide protection.”
James Clayton argued for a “nominal reduced fee of say £2 per day”, adding: “Charging loads isn’t fair.”
Fully supportive Darren Woodhead said: “Staff work unsociable hours and sometimes longer then a 12-hour shift. They need to be able to get to their vehicles easily and safely, so parking in hospital grounds helps them do so.
“Making them pay to carry out their duties and look after strangers is crazy and so unfair - but the fact they have to do so so they can get to their vehicles quickly and safely to get home after caring for us all it is totally unfair and diabolical.
“Free parking for all NHS staff is a must. To all NHS staff, thank you for your service, care and devotion to such a stressful job. You’re all angels in my eyes.”
Frank Milne said: “If as part of your employment, you get somewhere to park your car, then that forms part of your contract with them.
“For them to claim it some sort of privilege that can be changed anytime the employer wishes is incorrect. To charge for parking is in fact a wage reduction.”