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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS parking dilemma

166 replies

Buniadot · 21/01/2024 21:11

Let me preface this that I am grateful to all the NHS workers for their hard work and dedication to their job.

I've wanted to start this thread as I've recently seen numerous debates about this on social media. Oftentimes someone's complaining that NHS workers are parking their cars on residential streets where parking is available at the trust. The post usually has a plethora of comments ranging from those agreeing it's a nuisance to those saying it's reasonable.

I have made a few observations myself, I am aware that they may make me sound like an AH but they seem the most logical to me.

  • if parking is available at the workplace then it should be used (whether free or not)
  • to address expensive parking, almost all workplaces don't offer free parking, doesn't matter what industry. A lot of workers aside from NHS, pay for parking and live.
  • to address antisocial hours, as above, there are other industries that won't necessarily have free parking and have to pay for it
  • the NHS offers good job stability in this day and age (always understaffed so not much chance of losing your job, they need you), fantastic pension, the pay isn't great but also not out of the norm, discounts for on site nurseries etc, overall don't the benefits outweigh the cost of parking?
  • to clarify, I do understand if there's no parking available then absolutely look for an alternative but I find it cheeky to use residential roads when there's ample parking available at some trusts.
  • I can see why people get frustrated with there being no space near their house because of people that work. Now before people say 'buy a house with a drive' it's sometimes not possible, some get house by council and are grateful for what they have, or some that own their house may not be able to afford one with a driveway. It's cheaper to pay for parking at your workplace thank buy a house with a driveway.

So, AITA for thinking that being an NHS worker doesn't exempt you from paying for parking and you should be more considerate to residents in the area?

I hope we can all have a discussion about your views.

OP posts:
Original poster
Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:35

Zwicky · 21/01/2024 22:16

YABU. You can’t have a system where anybody can park on public roads unless they are NHS scum. NHS staff don’t have to shove over to be nice so other people have more space on the public roads. Unless there is also a scheme where NHS staff don’t have to pay tax then I’ll be using the services just like anyone else.

I work in my local hospital but it’s inaccessible to me by public transport as it is outside of a small town and I live outside of an even smaller town nearby, so it’s a bus to my town, a bus between towns and then a third bus to the hospital. It is with 3 separate bus companies so not doable with a travel card and the timetables don’t join up. It’s around about 90mins on the bus and I would arrive 2 hours after my start time at the earliest. I wouldn’t be able to get home until the next day - too late to catch the bus back again. It would cost more in a week in bus fares than I spend in a month in petrol. My friend in my nearest city works in a big teaching hospital with a tram stop and a shuttle bus. The shuttle bus doesn’t work for shift patterns. You can’t park overnight at the tram park and ride so you can’t use the tram on a night shift. Public transport needs to work before you ban NHS staff from the roads.

It’s not normal in the private sector for businesses with parking to charge staff. It is normal for people working in city centres to have to pay for parking if they choose to drive in but this also applies to city centre hospitals with no parking. Realistically you can’t magic up car parks in the middle of cities for NHS staff but the difficulties of shift work should be recognised. If you are expected to start or finish at a time when you can’t access the hospital on public transport and also can’t park then their should be some help (mini buses/ taxis) because the ballache and the expense of it contributes to lack of retention in acute trusts,

Los of people live near places where people park. People live near high streets, schools, religious buildings, train stations etc. Other people are part of life.

Never said NHS specific are the problem. It's an issue overall with workers from all industries, question is why is everyone else slated for it but nhs workers applauded?
You've been lucky to not have to pay for parking at work, I wish that was the case across board and there were adequate car parks in workplaces. Doesn't change the fact that not everyone can afford to live in a house with a driveway, or they live close to the city centre because they work there and can walk to work. So they actually planned out how they would commute.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 21/01/2024 22:35

innerdesign · 21/01/2024 22:34

Strangers' convenience or lack thereof does not and would not enter my head when considering whether to apply for a job.

@DappledThings definitely not standard. Are they open long hours to cover standard nursing shifts? I'm curious

Show quote history

A bit longer than most I think. Ashford is 7am - 6pm. King's I don't remember but similar.

Original poster
Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:36

MonkeyPuddle · 21/01/2024 22:17

I used a private day nursery 20 mins walk, 5 min drive. No NHS on-site nursery. No priority. I fact I had to see my abusive ex more often due to my shift times before I switched jobs.

I'm sorry you had to go through that, hope all's better now.

OP posts:
halfshutknife · 21/01/2024 22:36

It's around £16 a day to park at the trust I work in. To me the free car park should be for patients and relatives as a priority. Most of the streets around my work are permit only. The rest are unsafe to walk to and from in the dark.
I believe people should be courteous, no pavement parking or parking at dropped kerbs or disabled bays. I'd want whoever lay in the hospital bed to be treated by staff that don't have to give up there first hours wages to parking fees or stressed cos they've walked a mile into work.

EddieHowesShithousingMags · 21/01/2024 22:37

We’re not allowed to park on-site at our city centre hospital. Being caught parking on site means potential disciplinary action. So that’s nice.

Original poster
Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:38

SunshineAutumnday · 21/01/2024 22:18

Our trust wil not allow staff to use the hospital parking.

So we PAY for residents parking £15 per shift, I then pay for resident parking where I live £190 per year. After a day shift I can NEVER park in my road and end up with 10 minute walk.

So, no. I'm not exempt from parking.

That's the thing though, you should be able to get home from work after a long shift and be able to park.

OP posts:
innerdesign · 21/01/2024 22:38

@Buniadot Never said NHS specific are the problem.

You might want to check your thread title and OP...

İcantusethat · 21/01/2024 22:39

Paid or not, there are not enough parking spaces at many NHS sites.

And many staff are required to have cars in order to work across sites and do home visits.

I agree with PP that residents permit parking can help with the busiest areas.

DappledThings · 21/01/2024 22:40

DappledThings · 21/01/2024 22:35

A bit longer than most I think. Ashford is 7am - 6pm. King's I don't remember but similar.

Show quote history

I just quickly had a look at Addenbrookes and Exeter as those are two places we could have moved to instead of Kent and they both have nurseries on site too. It hadn't crossed my mind when we were moving that we might have needed to find other provision

Original poster
Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:42

reflecting2023 · 21/01/2024 22:23

OP what is your problem, really? If you think nhs perks are so great apply for a job. But for goodness sake stop whinging,

I do and I have, also working unsociable hours.
Parking on my road isn't cause by my local trust, but by people working in town. The whole point was that most people have to pay for parking when they go to work. And those that use residential streets (from any industry) instead of available car parks are inconsiderate.

You asked what my problem was, I guess it's the fact that I go to work and pay for parking instead of being a nuisance to residents to then get home and not be able to park in a reasonable distance because of others who don't extend the courtesy.

OP posts:
innerdesign · 21/01/2024 22:43

DappledThings · 21/01/2024 22:40

I just quickly had a look at Addenbrookes and Exeter as those are two places we could have moved to instead of Kent and they both have nurseries on site too. It hadn't crossed my mind when we were moving that we might have needed to find other provision

Show quote history

Sounds like you're fortunate. Other locations are available. That would be a 6.5 hour commute for me so not much use..!

Itsbeginingtolookalotlikexmas · 21/01/2024 22:45

I am NHS staff and park on the road. We have a car park but I’d need to pay and it never has spots. I drive out a few times a day so even if I got to the clinic early I’d still lose my spot when I left to go on a visit. The street I park on has drives and I never block a drive or park inconsiderately, however, the local residents hate us. We hide our NHS badges when we park. I’ve been shouted at a few times.

Starlightstarbright3 · 21/01/2024 22:47

I went through a process of looking for work . I avoided our city hospital as I know I wouldn’t get a parking space and roads around the hospital are permit only .

lots of people locally do rent there drives out .

look
at the hospitals for not providing adequate parking when shifts are unsocial

AntiquePancakes · 21/01/2024 22:48

@Futb0l the busses are a joke, don't coincide with shift times atall.

DappledThings · 21/01/2024 22:50

innerdesign · 21/01/2024 22:43

Sounds like you're fortunate. Other locations are available. That would be a 6.5 hour commute for me so not much use..!

Show quote history

Yes, definitely fortunate. Sorry, I wasn't suggesting otherwise, just highlighting my own naivety that this isn't standard and that we must have been lucky that only places with nurseries are ones that we were potentially moving to.

Being NHS nurseries meant no disruption to them during lockdown too. Another massive privilege I'm very aware of.

Medstudent12 · 21/01/2024 22:50

You will have paid less for your house because it's near a hospital. I ruled out all houses near schools, hospitals and train stations for this reason. I used to rent next to a hospital. This was a problem you could have anticipated.

I am a "junior doctor" and will be until my late 30s. So I will have spent 6 years of medical school and 10+ years of post grad training being shipped off to different hospitals in huge geographical areas. When I get sent to a hospital that's 50 miles away and 1 hour in the car (without traffic) I have NO choice but to drive or it'd be 2.5 hours each way on public transport. I can't move every time or I'd never get on housing ladder and be financially penalised for decades by renting when I'm otherwise lucky enough to be able to buy.

Lots of us can't walk or get public transport. I can be sent somewhere thats a 2.5 hour drive (on way!) due to health education england. It's dire.

Most trusts do not (and don't have the space) to provide adequate parking. My pet hate is when all parking is for visitors/patients as without staff you genuinely do not have a hospital. Staff need to park. And if you live in a deprived or "undesirable" area if you don't want staff to drive and park from further away you won't have many people working there...

Original poster
Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:50

user1477391263 · 21/01/2024 22:29

The problem with people being allowed to park on residential streets is this: people understandably don’t want to live in traffic sewers, and avoid living in areas near schools….or hospitals… or daycare nurseries….or stations…or…. (“Well, surely you knew what it would be like, living near an XYZ? That’s why I chose an estate further out of town!”)

The system is therefore literally punishing people who live near facilities that they might like to use themselves, and rewarding those who live further away….which then encourages more sprawl and pushes everyone to drive more and more for their everyday needs.

Vicious circle.

To get out of this trap, British cities need to start off by doing something about parking, but the transition is likely to be painful, because it requires unpicking several decades of urban development.

Edited

You are completely right, when buying our house we took into consideration the fact that 3 out of 4 of us can walk to work (I pay for parking at job #1 and walk to job #2), nursery is within walking distance, we have one car in a household of 4 driving adults and car share as to not cause inconvenience to our neighbours. If everyone thought a bit about others and actually planned ahead a bit there would be less of an issue.

You are correct though in terms of councils doing more to help. Multi storey car parks are the norm in Europe, they should be here as well.

OP posts:
Saschka · 21/01/2024 22:52

Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:42

I do and I have, also working unsociable hours.
Parking on my road isn't cause by my local trust, but by people working in town. The whole point was that most people have to pay for parking when they go to work. And those that use residential streets (from any industry) instead of available car parks are inconsiderate.

You asked what my problem was, I guess it's the fact that I go to work and pay for parking instead of being a nuisance to residents to then get home and not be able to park in a reasonable distance because of others who don't extend the courtesy.

Show quote history

We have residents parking and shit-hot enforcement (they towed my car despite me having a permit). And you can still never park on our road, unless you are sitting poised at 9am for people to leave for work.

There are just too many cars for the number of spaces.

BatteryPowerGnat · 21/01/2024 22:52

Many NHS staff work shifts/unsociable hours when public transport might not be running.
Some staff are on call - they remain at home during this time but when they are called in it could be 4am. No choice but to drive or pay for a taxi (which won't be reimbursed).

MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 21/01/2024 22:54

Cincinnatus · 21/01/2024 21:14

If they can legally park on a residential street then they have every right to do that. They can park where they like as long as it’s legal.
Doesn’t really matter about how the residents feel about it.

I’m not saying it’s right or wrong as I don’t really care either way.

Absolutely. @Buniadot can you say you never ever park anywhere not your home or commercial/paid for parking?

Medstudent12 · 21/01/2024 22:54

And just to add I never park inconsiderately. I never park over drives or block kerbs, I just park further away. As I don't want to annoy people but also if you park inconsiderately then you might get car keyed!

Maybe the OP should think about how I felt finishing as a 26 year old A&E doctor and having to walk to my car in early hours of morning in unsafe residential areas as I was not eligible for hospital parking. What else should we do? Not drive and get a taxi 30 miles home at 3am.

GreatGateauxsby · 21/01/2024 22:55

missmollygreen · 21/01/2024 21:13

Yes, YATA
Anyone can park on public roads.
BUT.... staff parking in hospitals should be free

Agreed.

The parking costs at my hospital piss me off and I make 6 figures and am "only" visiting 2 X per week on a short term basis.

I can't even imagine how hacked off I'd be if I was working long shifts, dealing with the moronic general public and making £30/40k a year

daffodilandtulip · 21/01/2024 22:56

It's much the same as those complaining about the school/church/railway that was likely there before they moved in.

If it's legal, it's legal.

Original poster
Buniadot · 21/01/2024 22:57

TeenLifeMum · 21/01/2024 22:30

@Buniadot so my main base has 2500 employees and 400 parking spaces. It’s done on where you live etc. technically I shouldn’t be given any parking as I can walk to work. It’s a 45 minute walk and I often have to go to meetings at other locations so a 45 minute walk really isn’t a good use of my work time.

I’m not sure we massively mind paying, but often we’re simply not allowed to park on site.

Thank you for the insight, I do think that individual circumstances should be a factor in permit decisions (ie you have to travel during work, so need your car to do that, or some don't have public transport available for shift times, out of hours permits etc)

Overall it's strange that hospitals and town centres without parking haven't rethought the parking structures. You only really see multi storey car parks next to shopping centres but should ideally have more independent ones.

OP posts:
overthehill23 · 21/01/2024 22:59

I think if paying for parking it should be the same all over the NHS. I see a person above says there trust is £1.50 a day or £20 a month fair. At my trust if you can't get a parking permit- massive list only about 50% I would say have one. It's £10 a day which is a lot