STAFF at hospitals across Wirral are being asked to apply for parking permits and access fobs ahead of new parking charges.

On Monday (September 4) changes to both Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospital car parks were introduced.

The car parking charging system moved from a fixed rate model to a "variable tiered approach". Previously visitors and patients would pay £3.20 for up to 3.5 hours with a charge of £10.00 for anything over that duration. 

Under the new charges, visitors and patients are now charged £3.20 for parking for between 30 minutes and two hours, £4.50 for between two hours and four hours, £5.50 for between four and six hours, £7.00 for between six hours to 12 hours and £10.00 for up to 24 hours.

A spokesperson for Wirral University Hospital told the Globe that car parking charges for staff have "not changed" and that the changes "relate to patient and visitor car parks only".

Staff are now being asked to apply for parking permits and access fobs in order to access staff spaces at both the hospital sites.

A spokesperson for Wirral University Teaching Hospital said: “Car parking charges for staff have not changed. Arrangements introduced from September 4th, 2023, relate to the patient and visitor car parks only.

“These changes do not involve staff. We have increased the spaces available to staff and the majority of parking at both of our sites is reserved for staff. Staff car parking is also subsidised. We have asked our staff to apply for parking permits and access fobs, rather than using patient car parks. This is important to ensure that car park spaces are available for patients and visitors.

“Staff working night shifts continue to access free car parking as per NHS guidance. Access to staff parking at weekends and evenings, with a fob, is unlimited.”

Criteria for a permit and car park access fob considers staff individual needs such as a requirement to regularly leave the work base, whether a staff member lives within a one-mile walking distance to the hospitals, parental responsibilities, medical conditions and ability to use public transport, car share, walk or cycle. In a recent survey carried out with staff by the hospital, the majority favoured keeping the current criteria for staff car parking.