STAFF members at John Hunter Hospital say they are no longer guaranteed a parking spot on site, despite having parking fees deducted from their wages.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Hospital staff say they are becoming “increasingly frustrated” that the number of people versus the number of available car spaces had gone “beyond parity,” renewing calls for Hunter New England Health to reinstate the park and ride shuttle service.
One staff member, who spoke to the Newcastle Herald on condition of anonymity, said she drove around for an hour looking for a car space before a shift.
“I normally swipe into the staff car park, but it was chock-a-block full. So I tried another one, and I had no luck there either, so then I went to the multi-storey car park there,” she said.
The parking attendant said she would have to pay the full day parking rate, despite already having a parking fee deducted from her wage each week.
“The other option was to park along Lookout Road, or up near the water tower, but by that stage, all of those parks were taken too.
“After an hour, it crossed my mind to actually just go home. It’s not good.”
Sonia Hornery, member for Wallsend, said she receives calls from hospital staff about “inadequate” staff parking “almost weekly.”
An email from hospital management to a staff member in September confirmed they were no longer guaranteed a spot, and would be charged twice if they parked in the public spaces.
Ms Hornery is calling for Hunter New England Health to re-instate the shuttle bus service.
“Staff are under enough stress without the frustration of having to circle around the number of staff car parks trying to find a spot,” she said. “The added insult of being charged twice to park in the public car park is a disgrace.
“When the shuttle bus from Hunter Stadium was operating, staff parking was never an issue. It was a stress-free option.”
Brett Evans, manager of capital works for the hospital, said parking fees for staff at John Hunter Hospital varied depending on their salary, but ranged from $7.40 to $17.49 per week.
He said there were 2150 staff car parking spaces at John Hunter Hospital, and there were no plans to reinstate the shuttle service.
“Staff who pay for parking on the hospital campus but are unable to find a park should present to the car parking attendant’s office. The attendant can assist with finding a park in designated staff parking or elsewhere on the campus,” he said.
“Parking fees will be refunded via the employee’s salary in circumstances where they cannot find a park in a designated area and are required to park elsewhere under the advice of the attendant.”
