NHS parking dilemma

[Buniadot]

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.

As rotational drs we often spend our entire rotation on the permit waiting list, I'd much rather pay for a permit and not add on a 20min walk to a 1.5h commute x2 and a 13h shift!

If only it was that easy (and some trusts charge us £65/m to park so dread to think what seniors pay as ours is the discount rate

It's tiered. Lower paid pay far less parking. When my last trust implemented it again post covid it was 50p/d for the lower bands and £1.50/d for consultants so they were subsidising it

I don't think anyone on an 'on call' rota should have to pay for parking. You are not arriving at a normal time, it could be 2.00am and most NHS staff are women. You should be able to park near the entrance if you are on call.

Staff parking can be a target for thieves, they know you probably won't be back for a while.

A car parked on a road my be because the owner lives there.

In order to progress in the NHS you have to change hospitals at some time so often you have no choice of using public transport.

My late DP turned down a (non-medical) job at a hospital because there was a 2-year wait for a parking permit, no nearby on-street parking and getting there by public transport was a complete pain in the arse.

Given the difficulties of retaining staff in the NHS, I think anything that makes the job more attractive is a damn good idea. If that includes free parking, so be it.

Parking is awful at my trust. If I’m not there for 06:45 I cannot get a space on site, they are all full. The spaces are so tight cars are repeatedly damaged.

Myself and colleagues have to park in the residential roads, the residents have taken to damaging our cars (shoving cones underneath them, throwing eggs on the windscreen) which is lovely after a 12/14 hr shift.

We have lost staff over the lack of parking permits. It’s laughable as the residents protested so vigorously about the construction of a multi storey car park planning was refused.

I am only supposed to start at 11:30 on Thursday as I’m owed hours, I’ll likely go in early as the thought of trying to park is giving me anxiety already.

You are being unreasonable. Everyone knows that if you live near a hospital , school or train station ( as I do) you will have hospital and school staff , school parents or commuters parking in your road. Everyone is entitled to park wherever it's legal and safe to do so. I have commuters parking outside my house everyday as it's the nearest unrestricted street to the station. I don't give it a second thought.

My DS is at sixth form at a school which is right next to a large hospital. He now drives and parks in residential streets behind his school. He's been aggressively questioned so many times by homeowners who seem to think they own the road. They say to him that it's bad enough with all the hospital staff parking outside their home without school kids doing it too.

He's doing nothing wrong and parks perfectly legally but because he is young and in a school blazer he's an easy target. He has also had notes left on his car a few times telling him to park elsewhere and on one occasion a malicious complaint to the school saying he was speeding down their road (his black box proved otherwise)

As both the school and the hospital were there long before the housing estate was built I believe these people should have thought about the potential parking issues before they bought their houses.

there is a lovely walk near the local primary school however it is impossible to park there nowadays. due to i assume teachers parking.
but i dont start threads about it!

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.
And when you can't park outside your door because of these other nuisance, legal road users, where do you park? In a paid for car park and walk home or outside someone else's house? Just curious.

Our parking is £4.50 per day and most people do not have permits to park on site. The local roads are for residential parking permits only. Fair enough but this means I park a 20-30 minute walk away from my car.
people have left due to the lack of parking and poor public transport, resulting in staffing levels now at an all time low. Patient care is compromised and waiting lists have grown.

Did he go to the same school before 6th form?

All the residential streets near our local hospital are resident parking permit only. Isn’t this the case for many hospitals?

I think this is right, parking should always prioritise residents.

I live near a Tube station and people often park on my street, but I don’t mind as long as my neighbours have space to park.

reflecting2023, I think you might have a different view if you needed me to get into hospital to perform life saving surgery on you or yours !!!

If it’s legal to park somewhere and someone parks there I can’t see how anyone can complain whether it’s an NHS worker or anyone else.

But I’m thrilled to hear you’ll be joining us in healthcare due to the golden lives we’re living! Welcome!

Indeed welcome to paradise OP!!

Sorry what?

Hi, I am nhs and we have crap parking - we have to park onevery sliver of spare pavement/ grass/ wasteland and quadruple park abd box people in and get there by at least 8 for a 9 start. Can't find the post yog mean but surely some misunderstanding 😃🙃