Jessica BirdAccording to NHS Digital data, NHS health workers paid just over £70.5m in parking costs at their workplaces in the financial year 2023-24.
NHS staff in the North West paid out the most at almost £15m, followed by the North East and Yorkshire with more than £14.5m, then the Midlands with more than £11m.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire cost employees the most in parking fees, at more than £3.2m, followed by Birmingham NHS foundation Trust with just over £3m.
A survey of almost 2,000 GMB members found that 72% of those working in hospital settings had to pay to park at work.
GMB’s NHS pay claim submitted earlier this year called for NHS staff car parking charges to be scrapped.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “NHS workers have had their first above inflation pay rise after almost 15 years of cuts.
“They’ve suffered rocketing workloads, chronic understaffing and the fallout from a global pandemic.
“Health workers are on their knees – they need help and support.
“Charging them to park is kicking them while they are down.
“GMB calls on the Government and NHS employers to do the right thing and scrap staff car parking charges.”
Workplace Journal reached out to NHS Employers for comment prior to publication.
