PARENTS of sick children and nurses who care for them face a 400 per cent hike in car parking charges at a Greater Manchester hospital.
They must now pay up to £5 instead of £1 for all-day parking at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury.
Management say the cost to staff will be lower once permits are issued to them. But staff say there is already a four-year waiting list for permits.
Parents and families will be worst hit by hefty price prices for short stays.
The trust which runs the hospital was revealed recently to be raising more than £1 million a year from parking.
Imposed
One nurse said: "There has been no consultation whatsoever. The increases have just been imposed on us.
"I work a seven-and-a-half hour shift and that means I have to pay £5 a day, £25 a month and about £1,200 a year."
There are three car parks at the hospital. The prices for visitors and staff have risen to £2 for 0-3 hours; £4 for 4-6 hours, and £5 for 6-24 hours.
Another member of staff who asked not to be named said: "Parents of children at the hospital can buy a weekly car pass for £10 or a monthly one for £20 - but not staff."
In a statement the hospital trust said: "Car parking charges have recently risen for the first time in 10 years.
"Last December a car parking group including staff and unions ran a consultation with car park users and received over 300 responses to questions about facilities and charges. Changes introduced on September 3 were made with the backing of this group."
What do you think? Have your say.
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Hospital parking charges soar
September 05, 2007
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury
Showing comments 1 to 11 and replies | View All
Chris, Irlam (05/09/2007 at 10:59)
rammylad, ramsbottom (05/09/2007 at 11:23)
Why staff at a hospital have to pay parking is beyond me. Manchester is a real mess at the moment courtesy of Richard Leese.
Management is about leading from the top, so when those at the top ignoire the public and raise prices well above inflation then those around will do the same.
Martin (05/09/2007 at 13:23)
The Catcher, In the Rye (05/09/2007 at 13:52)
Rob H, Manchester (East) (05/09/2007 at 14:12)
Miss M, Manchester (05/09/2007 at 14:12)
I can hardly even get a parking space. Cars are broken into and vandalished all the time - disgusting!
The Catcher, In the Rye (05/09/2007 at 14:35)
chris (05/09/2007 at 14:42)
i will put money on the fact that none of these responses were - "yes I think the car park is great but I'd like to pay more for using it..."
The Catcher, In the Rye (05/09/2007 at 15:16)
rammylad, ramsbottom (05/09/2007 at 17:34)
The point was that in Management you lead from the top. Businesses all across town and yes a hospital is a business have seen MCC shaft the general public with the CC and their attitude towards people. It is natural in business there where one leads others follow. MCC started this lets shaft the workers of the city and the hospital is just following suit. MCC are partners with NCP who have put up their car park charges by 133% and so others will follow. I have insisted on a £3k pay rise this year to compensate for MCC's proposed CC, hike in bus fares and the general cost of living in Manchester and I got it. Now my boss will ask for 6k from his client who is yes the government etc etc etc. MCC are directly responsible for an inflation boom to bust strategy to look good for a couple of years to keep them in power. Then what do we do.
You lead from the top.
Anyway, do you think nurses and auxilary nurses on £10k-£20k a year should pay parking. I don't.
Snare Drum, Ashton-under-Lyne (05/09/2007 at 19:45)