THURROCK MP Jen Craft says she is standing up for NHS workers at Basildon Hospital against the decision to reintroduce staff parking charges.

The decision by the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust has created a backlash or protest from workers. Charges were removed during the Covid pandemic but have now ben brought back.

Ms Craft has written an open letter to the Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to highlight a number of issues with the re-introduction of staff parking fares.

She says: "Many staff members, including nurses, doctors, and support staff, already face significant challenges such as long hours, high stress, and the physical and emotional demands of their work.

"Adding parking fees to their list of concerns is likely to exacerbate their stress and impact their well-being."

She also highlighted the potential impact on patients at the hospital, with the decision likely to put off prospective employees: 

"I am concerned there will be broader implications of this decision, the increased costs may deter prospective employees from joining the hospital, further exacerbating staffing shortages and affecting the quality of patient care."

And she went on to point out the particularly poor timing of this announcement, following a recent attack on a staff member in the car park on site:

"Following the recent attack on a staff member on hospital premises where lighting was poor and the CCTV was not in perfect working order, I feel this is the wrong time to look at reintroducing car parking charges."

Ms Craft is calling for the Trust to reconsider their decision to reintroduce staff parking.

The MP acknowledged the difficult financial position the hospital finds itself but believes alternate measures can be found that support the financial needs of the hospital and better serve the staff.