Unite the Union says hard-up members of staff have already suffered cuts to their pay and living standards in recent years and see the proposal for the introduction of these charges as another pay cut for hard working staff , many of whom have no choice but to use a car for work because of nature of their work and the shifts they undertake.

Caren Evans Regional Officer for Unite the Union said: “ hard working dedicated NHS staff should not have to pay for parking, would you want a member of staff rushing through an episode of care with a patient because they are worried about getting a parking fine? Staff are already underpaid and do not need the added stress of facing extortionate charges for parking and having to wait for this to be reimbursed while they care for their communities. Surely this is also an added cost for the Trust?"

Figures show at least 10 Trusts make more than £2million a year from parking. Another 36 trusts earn £1million. Unite the Union are concerned that these charges are nothing more than another income stream for the Trust and not improve any issues staff face trying to secure safe parking.