The SoR is supporting a campaign asking South Tees NHS Trust to stop the introduction of a parking management system after its failure to consult with patients and staff.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust is planning to introduce automatic numberplate recognition system ParkingEye in order to address the “frequently inadequate” parking at James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital – but the decision has been met with backlash.
Patients, staff, and members of the SoR have joined together in signing a now 10,000-strong petition to halt the implementation until they can be consulted, in order to allay fears the system could lead to a rise in fines for staff and patients.
'Scrambling for spaces'
Consistently inadequate on-site parking at the South Tees Hospital NHS Trust has left staff "scrambling" for spaces every morning, competing with both other staff and patients to ensure they are able to get to work on time.
The trust has, in response, implemented an automated numberplate recognition system, known as ParkingEye – but staff have warned that this system will only worsen the lack of spaces, and inflict "devastating" fines on staff struggling to find a parking space.
South Tees argues the system will improve onsite traffic management, but SoR members have expressed fears over the system’s reputation, whose fines have been described as “aggressive” and “cashing in on the sick” by a spokesperson for the campaign to prevent the implementation.
Lack of capacity
While other companies run “pay on exit” systems, ParkingEye’s approach often forces patients to guess how long their visit will be. With the current lack of capacity at both James Cook and Friarage, concern has been raised that staff and patients will be unable to park in designated parking places.
Alongside the fact that staff often work over and appointment times overrun, staff could face financial detriment for parking at work, visitors may receive stringent fines and residents in the local area will notice increased traffic as drivers will look for alternative parking.
As of this week (March 31), the trust has also decided to implement parking tariffs based on staff banding, with higher-band staff paying more for parking than their lower-band colleagues.
A spokesperson for South Tees argued the change is necessary due to the trust’s financial situation, and that the new tariff structure, “aligns the group and brings parity to colleagues” while also “[reflecting] earning bands while being sensitive to our lower paid colleagues”.
'The response has been overwhelming'
The decisions have sparked a 10,000 signature strong petition in a campaign launched by Luke Myer, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland, alongside the British Medical Association and national public service union Unison.
Mr Myer said: “The response to this petition has been overwhelming. More than 10,000 people have made their voices heard, sending a clear message that the ParkingEye system is unfair and should be reconsidered. Patients, visitors, and NHS staff have spoken out in huge numbers because they know this system will make parking more difficult. South Tees NHS Trust must listen to the community and rethink this decision.”
A spokesperson for the campaign added: “Most people driving to hospital in an emergency do not know how long they will need – so we do not believe this model is in the spirit of NHS parking guidance. ParkingEye charges are high and there is little room for leniency, even for minor parking violations. If ParkingEye fines remain unpaid, they use aggressive debt collection methods.
“Their enforcement methods have caused issues in other trusts leading to unfair fines and added stress for staff, patients and visitors. Given the challenges already faced by NHS workers and vulnerable patients, a fairer and more compassionate approach to parking management would be more appropriate.”
A formal dispute has been raised from UNISON and other staff side unions, but the campaign is seeking the support of members of the public in reversing this decision.
FInd out more about the campaign online here, and sign the petition online here.
Unreasonable and confusing'
Current government guidelines state that charges “should only be imposed where reasonable and should be waived when overstaying is beyond the driver’s control.”
This same guidance also states that “contracts should not be let on any basis that incentivises additional charges, for example ‘income from parking charge notices only’”.
On its website, ParkingEye describes itself as a provider of “enforcement and parking services to ease parking pain for businesses across almost every sector”, and offer a range of pay-on-site, pay-as-you-park, permit and manned solutions to organisations.
In 2014, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust terminated its contract with ParkingEye after receiving complaints from patients and visitors about the automatic number plate recognition system (ANPR) system.
Patients and visitors at Wansbeck, Hexham and North Tyneside general hospitals told Northumbria trust at the time they were confused by the ANPR system, resulting in fines being issued.
(Image: Luke Myer MP, via lukemyer.co.uk)