Staff Parking
Free car parking for staff was introduced as a temporary measure in April 2020 as part of the Government’s Covid-19 support measures.
On 31 March, following the ending of all domestic Covid-19 restrictions in line with the Government’s Living with Covid Plan for England, this funding ended and NHS organisations were instructed to reintroduce charges from 1 April.
However, the Trust promised to review the previous staff parking tariffs and delay the reintroduction of charging.
This work is now complete and parking charges will take effect in May salaries.
| Pay band | Monthly payment for staff working over 22 hours | Monthly payment for staff working under 22 hours | ||
| Standard rate | Reduced rate* | Standard rate | Reduced rate* | |
| AFC Band 1-3 | £15 | £10.50 | £7.50 | £5.25 |
| AFC Band 4&5 | £20 | £14 | £10 | £7 |
| AFC Band 6&7 | £28 | £19.60 | £14 | £9.80 |
| AFC Band 8 &9, VSM & all medical |
£32 | £22.40 | £16 | £11.20 |
| * 30% reduction on these tariffs for those staff working regular days and nights to ensure they receive free overnight parking. | ||||
- I was a member of the parking scheme before April 2020. What should I do?
Payroll deductions will restart automatically from May 2022. You need take no action unless you wish to cancel your scheme membership.
- Why has the Trust reintroduced car parking fees?
Free car parking for all staff was introduced as a temporary measure in April 2020 as part of the Government’s Covid-19 support measures.
On 31 March, following the ending of all domestic Covid-19 restrictions in line with the Government’s Living with Covid Plan for England, this funding ended and NHS organisations were instructed to reintroduce charges from 1 April.
However, the Trust promised to review the previous staff parking tariffs and delay the reintroduction of charging.
This work is now complete and parking charges will take effect in May salaries.
- I am not a member of the staff parking scheme but would like to join. What should I do?
Please email soh-tr.carparkaccess@nhs.net for further information. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria join the scheme.
- I work permanent nights and/or am registered disabled with a Blue Badge. Is parking free to me?
Yes. Email soh-tr.carparkaccess@nhs.net to qualify if you have not done so already.
- Blue badge holders should send their registration, blue badge number, expiry date and name
- If you work nights, you will need evidence from your line manager. Parking between 7pm and 8am will be free to you.
- I work a combination of day and nights shifts. How can I claim free parking for nights?
If you work nights as part of a regular shift pattern, you are entitled to a 30% reduction on your existing monthly charge. Email soh-tr.carparkaccess@nhs.net with evidence from your line manager that you work nights. Parking between 7.00pm and 08.00am will be free to you.
- What if my shift starts at 7pm or finishes at 8am? Will I still get free parking?
Yes. We have a built-in a grace period to allow you time to park/depart before the start or after the end of your shift.
- What if I am not in the car park scheme but works nights?
If you do not wish to join the car parking scheme, you will still get free parking on night shifts but will pay the daily visitor rate for parking at other times. To get free overnight parking, ask your manager to email the parking team confirming you are a night shift worker, along with your contact details, place of work and car registration number.
- Why do night shift workers get preferential treatment?
This is a Government decision published shortly before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, because parking was free to all staff from April 2020 to May 2022, it has not been necessary to put into effect until now.
- I work part of my working week from home. How am I affected?
We are unable to offer a planned daily rate within the revised tariff structure.
- I am a student. Will I have to pay for parking?
We do not charge students for parking.
- I do not have a substantive contract with the Trust (e.g. bank staff, other agency staff, locums etc). Will I have to pay for parking?
You can apply to join the parking scheme but we are unable to take payment via salary as you are not on our payroll and/or don’t have regular contracted hours. Please contact the car parking office via email for further information.
- Can I reduce my monthly payment via Salary Sacrifice?
Yes. You should tick the salary sacrifice box on the application form when applying for scheme membership.
Please contact Payroll if you are not in the scheme but would like to join. You should only contact the parking office if you wish to join the scheme or want to cease membership of the scheme.
- How does this affect staff who need their cars to deliver equipment out to patients’ homes to facilitate discharge?
Have a discussion with your manager if you are required to use your vehicle for work but would otherwise use public transport or walk. Please email the car parking office for further information.
- Is parking free at any other time?
Anyone entering and leaving our car parks for less than 20 minutes is not charged.
- Where does the money from parking fees go?
Parking fees go towards the management of the car parks, including administration, maintenance, security and technology, and our hospital running costs.
Updated 13/05/22