Hospital staff protest over planned parking change
BBCDoctors and nurses have protested against the planned introduction of a new parking payment system which they say will lead to unnecessary fines at two hospitals.
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) parking is set to be introduced at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the British Medical Association's regional resident doctor committee, said there were not enough car parking spaces, meaning staff and patients would face fines.
University Hospital Tees said ANPR parking would improve safety and reduce delays when exiting the car parks.
Medical professionals and representatives from Unite the Union protested the plans outside James Cook Hospital.
Dr Fletcher said the new system would penalise staff who usually walked or cycled to work but then drove when they were called in during the night.
"They are going to be charged or fined for coming in to deliver lifesaving care in the middle of the night," he said.
Dr Julie Walker said she was often forced to work late because of how long it took to find a parking space at James Cook Hospital.
"There's not enough car parking spaces so we can't actually park in a legitimate space," she said.
"Every single parking space we pay for has been sold four times over, so if all the staff are in, there's nowhere to park."
The ANPR system will be run by Parkingeye, which has been criticised for taking punitive measures against those who break its rules.
Unite regional officer Sharon Bailey said: "We know people who have been taken to court and that's the last thing that patients need at a time when they are probably facing really difficult circumstances."
Parkingeye said its system would "significantly improve" how the car parks operate.
"Our systems are designed to ensure the efficiency and smooth operation of a hospital by ensuring patients, visitors and staff park in their allocated car parks," a company spokesperson said.
"There will also be a wider marketing campaign with all users to ensure they are fully educated and use the car parks responsibly once the new system goes live."
University Hospitals Tees, a group formed by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said ANPR was already in use at its other hospitals and would simplify parking.
"Maintaining the safety of drivers, pedestrians and essential emergency vehicles is a key priority of the group," a spokesperson said.
"We have been working closely with local authorities and have engaged with staff side representatives to develop a wider plan to improve parking on our hospital sites."
They added the system would provide data to help improve traffic management.