This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Free car parking for NHS and social care staff
Matt Hancock is giving immediate financial backing for all NHS trusts to provide free car parking to NHS staff for the duration of coronavirus.
The Health Secretary pledged that the government will cover the costs of providing free car parking to NHS staff working in hospitals during this unprecedented time. NHS Trusts are responsible for setting car parking charges locally, and Hancock is urging all trusts to immediately make use of government funding to abolish parking charges for their staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick also revealed that local councils will also offer free car parking to all NHS workers and social care staff during the coronavirus outbreak. This is because, given the response from volunteers and retired NHS staff coming forwards to work on the frontline, some hospitals may also require additional car parking capacity.
The changes to council parking bay use will apply to all on-street parking and open, council-run car parks including pay and display and will suspend charges for health workers, social care workers and NHS volunteers. Many councils have already suspended parking charges for key workers as part of the national effort to tackle coronavirus.
Hancock said: “Our NHS is facing an unprecedented challenge, and I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need during this unprecedented time. So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day in hospitals across England. My enormous gratitude goes out to the many NHS Trusts and other organisations already providing free car parking and I urge other Trusts to do the same with our backing. We will do what is needed to protect the NHS, support our health and care staff, and save lives as we tackle COVID-19.”
Jenrick said: “Our NHS staff and social care workers are working round the clock to save lives and should not have to worry about the cost or time restrictions of parking. Which is why, I’ve agreed with the LGA and councils in England to provide free car parking, on council owned on-street spaces and car parks. By working together we are able to support these heroes as they play a front line role in our national effort to tackle the coronavirus crisis.”
The National Car Parking Group confirmed earlier this will that is will also provide NHS staff free parking at all 150 of their car parks in England.
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