THE acting chief executive of Arrowe Park Hospital has commissioned a feasibility study for multi-storey parking following a Globe campaign.

David Jago's proposal is among a series of options in a review of its policy to charge staff £10 to park there after a Globe petition backed by almost 10,000 readers.

It was handed over to his predecessor David Allison by Birkenhead MP Frank Field in October.

Nurses who work at the hospital had contacted us in September after security guards had turned them away from on-site patient and visitor parking because they did not have a staff parking fob.

They also expressed safety concerns over parking in an off-site location during a night shift due to a spate of attacks in the area.

Mr Field told the Globe: "It's good to hear that some progress is being made by Arrowe Park, following our meeting at the end of last year.

"I'm particularly pleased that the suggestion of a multi-storey car park is being looked at seriously, while more parking permits are distributed in the short term.

"I will remain active on this front in pursuit of a fairer deal for staff and patients."

Wirral Globe:

Frank Field MP, pictured above, handing petition to David Allison during meeting in October  

In his letter, Mr Jago wrote: "Following the issues raised towards the end of 2017, the Trust opened a further parking area of 120 parking spaces, coupled with the decision to issue an additional 50 parking permits.

"Furthermore, all staff who apply, when working night shifts or weekends are permitted to park across the various car parks within the trust.

"As a result, the Trust currently has a waiting list for colleagues who meet the parking criteria, of circa 100 members of staff."

He continued: "I can assure you that car parking provision one of a number of key objectives that is being dovetailed into our long-term strategic plans, from both a patient welfare and clinical perspective.

"As part of this process, there will be a focus specifically pertaining to the council's 'Green Travel Plans' and overall promotion of public transport utilisation.

"From a longer term perspective, we are already considering automatic number plate recognition and have commissioned a feasibility study relating to required planning permission and cost to build and operate a multi-storey car park.

"I would envisage having this information around October or November 2018."

Here's what some of our readers had to say about charging nurses to park when our campaign was launched in September:

Louise Bailey said: "It is ridiculous to expect nurses and staff to pay these high parking costs.

"They already work under increasing pressure and help to care for those at their most vulnerable without any decent pay rises."

Rachael Ross said: "Shocking price to expect nursing, auxiliary, midwifery and hospital workers to pay. 

"Many struggle to make ends meet already."

Christine Devaney said: "No NHS staff should have to pay parking fees at all the staff do a wonderful job it's a discrace."

Phil Lyne said: "Members of staff shouldn't have to pay to park their car especially at a cost of £10."