Often arriving hours early at work before the start of their shift, staff spend valuable time driving around the site looking for elusive spaces. Meanwhile patients are late or even miss outpatients’ appointments simply because they can’t park. 

A new parking company is set to make the situation worse. Many staff fear higher parking fees and new draconian fines. Over the past three months, the RCN and joint trade unions have gone into dispute with the trust on the issue and held protests outside both the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

Parking has become a critical issue and a huge cause of stress. 

Our recent staff survey revealed some of the key concerns for staff and shone a light on the direct impact of the parking situation on staff morale. 

Top of members’ concerns

Survey data revealed that:

• 74% of respondents said that they were worried and concerned about the availability of parking spaces.
• 87% said that the introduction of ParkingEeye would impact on their ability to park safely and without worry.
• More worryingly still, 44% of members who responded said they had actually considered leaving their role because of parking issues at the trust.

RCN members highlighted many other anxieties – from the availability, cost, and affordability of parking to fears over personal and vehicle safety, especially at night.
Parking has a direct and significant impact, not only on staff morale but also on their ability to arrive at work on time and stress free. 

Working with RCN rep and Chair of Staffside Roaqah Shaher, the survey results have been presented to the trust and agreement has been reached to form a joint working group.

This is the first important step forward. They must now make urgent changes to help their staff deliver the best care they can. Our survey has been a wake-up call and it’s time for them to act.