The trust announced that a flat £5 rate to park on the hospital site between 9.30am and 5.30pm on weekdays would come into effect from 1 May.

Thom Lafferty, PAH chief executive, has now confirmed that the current proposal has been paused following feedback and the trust will engage with staff before deciding on the next steps.

Following the announcement to reintroduce parking charges, RCN Eastern sent a survey to members at PAH to get views on what the parking charges would mean for them.

The interim results of this survey outlined many concerns about the way the charges were being reintroduced, including worries about the financial impact and feeling unsafe using offsite parking alternatives. There was also opposition to the flat rate charge being used regardless of an employee’s pay band.

Charlotte Collings, RCN Steward at PAH, said: “It was clear from the survey responses received from RCN members that the majority had concerns about the way the changes were being implemented.

“We shared these responses with the trust leadership and we’re pleased that the charge reintroduction has now been postponed so unions and staff can be more involved in the proposals being developed.

“We will continue to make sure the concerns of members are shared and I encourage all PAH members who haven’t already completed the survey to please check your emails and follow the link to tell us what you think. We want to make sure your voice is heard.”