Truro's MP in last ditch attempt to stop huge hike in hospital staff parking charges

Sarah Newton has highlighted the impact of low staff morale to the management of the Royal Cornwall Hospital and warned that this will be worsened by increased staff car parking charges.

Mrs Newton attended the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust AGM on Thursday evening and raised her concerns about a £4.2 million increase in temporary staffing costs at the hospital over the past two years.

Mrs Newton suggested that this may be connected to low staff morale, previously raised as a concern by the Care Quality Commission, and subsequent staff recruitment and retention difficulties. Mrs Newton argued that the proposed staff car parking increase could exacerbate these issues.

In response members of the Trust Management team pledged to continue working with Cornwall Council to extend the Park and Ride service into the evening to enable staff working on night shifts to use the service, negating the need to park at the Hospital.

Mrs Newton said: ‘‘I welcome the commitment of the Trust to work with Cornwall Council to secure an extended park and ride service. This would make a real difference to staff but must be achieved urgently; the new parking charges are due to come into effect on October 1. It is crucial that the trust does not neglect its most important assets – its staff.

"As the trust’s own figures confirm low staff morale doesn’t just impact on care; it also imposes extra costs on the hospital as agency workers have to be drafted to deal with difficulties in recruiting permanent staff. The trust is even having to finance trips abroad to try and recruit more permanent staff members.

"The trust is rightly seeking to deliver first class patient care whilst providing value for taxpayer’s money; it simply can’t do this without improved staff morale. We also have a moral duty to support the men and women who work so hard to look after our families when we are most in need.

"The proposed staff car parking charges will cause real problems for staff members on the lowest incomes. I continue to call for the RCHT to halt the implementation of the new parking charges until a solution is found that is based on the ability to pay.

"The RCHT must get around the table with staff, negotiate with Cornwall Council to secure the extending running of the Park and Ride service, and come up with a fairer solution, especially for the nurses, care assistants, cleaners, porters and many others who have modest incomes and contribute so much to the Trust.

"Yesterday’s commitment marks a step forward and a good opportunity for the RCHT and Cornwall Council to put into practise their expressed desire to work in partnership to the benefit of all."