NHS staff across the West Midlands are preparing to make their voices heard as anger mounts over the reintroduction of staff parking charges at Walsall Manor and Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital. From 1 November, employees working more than 22.6 hours per week will be required to pay £30 a month for parking, while those on fewer hours will face an £18 monthly fee.
For many already struggling with rising living costs, this move feels like an additional burden. Healthcare support workers, porters, and cleaners — some earning little more than 30 pence above the minimum wage — have expressed fears that these charges could push them to seek alternative employment. Workers plan to stage a protest outside Walsall Manor Hospital on Pleck Road at 13:00 GMT on Wednesday, demanding that hospital management reconsider what they see as an unfair policy.
Parking charges for NHS staff were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic to support frontline workers, but government funding for this initiative ended in 2022. Many NHS trusts across the country have since reintroduced fees, with the Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts among the latest to follow suit.
Chief Executive Joe Chadwick-Bell described the decision as “extremely difficult,” emphasising that the trust had postponed reintroducing the charges for as long as possible. “We are sorry to have to do so from November, but we must ensure our funds are spent on patient care as a priority,” she said.
The trust has stated that parking spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and staff are being encouraged to use public transport or car share to reduce demand. However, the NHS workers have voiced concerns that public transport links are not always reliable or practical for shift-based roles, particularly during unsociable hours.
The Workers Union has responded to the growing unrest, urging all parties involved to engage in constructive communication to seek a solution before the situation escalates further. A spokesperson from the organisation said:
“This issue strikes at the heart of fairness for working people. Our healthcare staff have given so much, especially during the pandemic. Imposing parking fees on workers who already face financial pressures sends the wrong message. We urge all sides to work towards a resolution that recognises the dedication and contribution of NHS staff.”
The reintroduction of parking charges highlights the ongoing financial pressures facing NHS trusts across the UK. With budgets tightening and operational costs increasing, difficult decisions are being made about where funding should be prioritised. Yet, as the cost-of-living crisis continues, frontline workers argue that such policies risk undermining morale and pushing valuable staff away from essential services.
As Wednesday’s protest approaches, local residents and NHS supporters are expected to join in solidarity. Many believe that fair treatment for key workers must remain at the forefront of public policy, particularly in the aftermath of a pandemic that tested the nation’s resilience and placed unprecedented strain on the NHS workforce.
For those at the centre of the storm — the nurses, cleaners, porters, and administrative staff — the message is simple: they feel penalised for simply turning up to work. The Workers Union continues to monitor developments closely and encourages immediate dialogue to prevent further hardship for NHS staff in the West Midlands.
