A PARKING charge hike at Poole Hospital’s multi-storey has been brought in deliberately to deter staff members from parking there, the hospital has admitted.

Until April 1 staff who paid the £30 a month permit charge to park at the swimming pool and stadium car-parks were allowed to park at the hospital’s multi-storey for £3.60 a day extra. Now the price has risen by 52 per cent – up £1.90 to £5.50.

Stuart Willes, head of operations at Poole Hospital, said: “This increase aims to encourage the small number of staff that park in the multi-storey car park to apply for a parking permit instead, which will free up those bays intended for visitors and patients. Staff affected have been informed directly.”

One health care assistant, who asked not to be named, said: “I pay for a permit which is £30 a month but we are told where to park and I have to use the stadium. Because of the winter weather and the dark, like a lot of staff members, I paid an extra £3.60 a day charge for staff to use the multi-storey to avoid the walk.”

However, she said that when she went to pay after April 1 she discovered the daily fee had risen to £5.50.

“I have heard stories from people who park at the Dolphin car park that when they return there at night there are homeless people and others there and they are concerned about their safety,” she said. “I take home around £1,000 a month and doing three shifts on a 37.5 hour week costs me £16 a week which is a lot of money,” she said.

She believes the hospital should reduce the fees paid by staff in the multi storey.

However, the hospital disagrees.

“Staff who have concerns about off-site parking facilities offered under the hospital’s permit scheme should raise these directly with those responsible for managing the car park or our own car parking team,” said Mr Willes.

He pointed out there had been no increase of the charges paid by the public.