UNISON members today criticised proposals to introduce car parking fees at dozens of NHS sites across Suffolk.

UNISON members today criticised proposals to introduce car parking fees at dozens of NHS sites across Suffolk.

Following news that Suffolk PCT is introducing charges for staff at all its sites in the county, the trade union has released a statement to raise concerns.

The charges will kick in when the PCT's controversial new headquarters, Rushbrook House, opens in Bramford on Monday, March 5.

The statement said: “All NHS Suffolk PCT staff are concerned at the imposition of car parking fees at the new HQ, Rushbrook House, as this is seen as a pay cut to many staff and further undermines morale within the PCT.

“The £15 per month may not be much to a director or chief executive but it will considerably hit the pocket for those on much lower pay.

“Several questions are being asked such as when these proposed charges will become payable and how will it all be managed across other sites in the county?

“It has already been established about the difficulties getting to Rushbrook House by any other means than by car due to its location which gives staff working there no other choice but to drive, and now only to be penalised by parking fees.

“Let me make this quite clear, UNISON is absolutely opposed to the introduction of staff car parking charges in any shape or form and in our view, it is simply seen as a workplace tax.”

The Star revealed last week that the charges were being introduced. All of the county's PCT sites will charge staff for parking by April next year.

Carole Taylor-Brown, chief executive of the PCT said it was fair as other public sector employers, including hospitals, charge their staff for parking.

N Do you think NHS staff should pay to park? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk