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Free NHS parking ends in England under new Living With Covid guidance

Free parking for NHS staff introduced during the pandemic comes to an end this week as part of updated Living with Covid guidance issued by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Free parking for NHS staff in England introduced during the pandemic comes to an end this week as part of updated Living with Covid guidance issued by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The guidance said the government was working on delivering the manifesto commitment to provide free hospital car parking to thousands more NHS patients and visitors, with over 94% of NHS trusts implementing free car parking for those who need it most, including NHS staff working night shifts.

According to the union GMB NHS staff will now face a £90 million car parking bill from Friday.

Figures from NHS Digital show in the financial year 2019/20 – the year before charges were lifted for the pandemic – health workers paid £90.1 million in car parking fees.

Workers in the Midlands paid out the most, paying out £18 million in the year, followed by the North West (£17 million), then the North East and Yorkshire (£16 million).

Health workers kicked when they are down by the government

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said: “It’s almost like the Health Secretary has a personal vendetta against NHS staff. During the worst cost of living crisis in a generation he’s hell-bent on forcing them to swallow yet another real terms pay cut.  Now follows the real insult to injury, he’s making them pay to park at work.

“Health workers are on their knees following a two-year pandemic. They need help and support, not being repeatedly kicked when they are down by the Government.”

The new guidance also confirmed that free Covid19 tests will continue to be available to help protect specific groups including eligible patients and NHS and care staff.

Designated settings for care home patients will also be removed

Other measures include updated hospital discharge guidance setting out how all involved in health and social care will work together to ensure smooth discharges from hospital and people receive the right care at the right time in the right place.

Designated settings will also be removed. These were initially set up to provide a period of isolation to Covid-19-positive patients before they move into care homes and before routine point-of-care testing for Covid-19 was available. Restrictions on staff movement will also be removed.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid said: “Thanks to our plan to tackle Covid we are leading the way in learning to live with the virus. We have made enormous progress but will keep the ability to respond to future threats including potential variants.

“Vaccines remain our best defence and we are now offering spring boosters to the elderly, care home residents and the most vulnerable. Please come forward to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”

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