State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has expressed concern about the inadequate level of staff car parking at the John Hunter Hospital Campus after it was revealed that staff are no longer guaranteed a parking spot, despite having parking fees deducted from their wages.
For months staff have raised concerns about the lack of staff parking spaces at the John Hunter Hospital, with some staff having to park in suburban streets despite paying for a spot at the Hospital.
A recent email from management confirmed that despite staff paying for a parking spot through their wages, they are no longer guaranteed a spot and are in fact charged twice if they are forced to park in the public car park.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“Staff at the John Hunter are under enough stress without the added frustration of having to circle around the number of staff car parks trying to find a spot.”
“If no spots are available, staff are forced to park out in the surrounding streets and walk back to the Hospital campus. As we know, most staff at the Hospital spend their whole shift on their feet walking the wards, caring for patients and to be forced to walk to work is unacceptable.”
“The added insult of being charged twice to park in the public car park is a disgrace and shows how little management actually care about their staff.”
“When the shuttle bus from Hunter Stadium was operating, staff parking was never an issue. Many staff members took advantage of the shuttle bus as it was a stress free option of finding a car park.”
“It has never been more clear that a park and ride facility is needed to reduce the problems that exist at the Hospital.”
“I will be pushing even harder for the reinstatement of the shuttle bus to help ease this ongoing problem.”