Hospital workers face 30 per cent rise in parking fees

Parking charges for staff at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital will rise by up to 30 per cent, it has been revealed today.

But bosses say staff could end up shelling out less than they currently do if they sign up to a new payment scheme.

Monthly passes at Russells Hall will increase to a maximum of £19.50 on July 1, up from £15.

Workers are being offered to take part in a "salary sacrifice scheme" where the charges are taken automatically from their wages.

Hospital chiefs say they will pay a maximum of £12.27 if they sign up - as cash will be saved against tax and national insurance.

But they admit the prices have been hiked to bring in more money.

More than 1,000 parking tickets were handed out to patients, staff and visitors at Russells Hall in less than a year.

It followed a clampdown by car park attendants after complaints about motorists blocking the path of ambulances.

Chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust Paula Clark said: "We can confirm that the Trust is increasing the staff car parking tariff from 1st July, but at the same time is offering staff an opportunity to save money on their car parking under a salary sacrifice scheme.

"The scheme will see an increase in the staff car park tariff to a maximum of £19.50 per month, but a reduction in the actual amount paid by staff via savings against tax and national insurance. Under the scheme the actual maximum monthly payment would be approximately £12.27– which is less than staff are paying presently.

"With the financial restrictions placed on the Trust we have to look at opportunities to increase our income. It has been decided that one way that this can be done is by an increase in parking charges for staff. In order to reduce any impact on staff we have put together a salary sacrifice scheme that will reduce the amount paid by staff in real terms."