Staff at Ipswich Hospital claim they are spending so long searching for spaces that some are missing urgent duties and meetings, while others are being hit with a rising number of parking fines.
The limited parking and increases in parking charge notices are causing significant stress and affecting morale, staff say.
An anonymous employee said parking had become a regular concern among hospital staff.
The staff member said a colleague became visibly upset after receiving a parking charge notice.
They said parking had become a regular talking point among staff.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs the hospital, said it understood staff’s frustration and was trying to help, but confirmed they prioritise patient access.
Ipswich Hospital’s A&E statistics have been revealed (Image: Lucy Taylor)
Staff added there has been a surge in parking charge notices issued by parking operator Group Nexus, despite no changes to permits or vehicle details.
The parking changes also mean staff are spending so long looking for spaces that some are missing urgent duties or meetings.
Staff have also raised concerns about parking charges in areas with unclear or missing bay markings, and the impact on morale and patient care.
Doug Ward, ESNEFT’s Director of Estates and Facilities, issued a statement (Image: ESNEFT)
Doug Ward, director of estates and facilities at ESNEFT, said: “We understand the frustration regarding parking at our hospitals.
“With only a limited amount of space on our site, we try to accommodate as many people as possible, with the priority being patients who need to access our services for treatment.”
The trust offers free use of the local park and ride service to staff, along with discounted bus and train travel.
Late-shift workers can park on site for free between 6.30pm and 8.30am.
Mr Ward said permit charges rise with salaries, so higher earners pay more.
He said: “We listen to feedback from our colleagues through our staff briefings as well as our Staff Partnership Forum and any staff member who feels they’ve received an incorrect fine or has a question about their permit can speak to our dedicated Travel Plan team.”
The trust said limited space meant patient access to parking remained its priority.
The trust previously apologised after a team of 20 midwives were fined for parking overnight in a car park they had long been allowed to use, saying the new provider had not been told about the exemption; all affected staff were reimbursed.