NSW Health staff are to have access to free parking at public hospital carparks during the current COVID-19 restrictions.
Deputy Secretary of NSW Health, Phil Minns said the temporary measure was being introduced to support staff during the current outbreak.
“In situations where the Government advises that the community should seek to avoid the use of public transport, relief from parking charges for NSW Health staff will be introduced at NSW Health facilities,” Mr Minns said.
“All NSW Health staff required to attend work at NSW Health facilities for the duration of the period where public transport services are compromised, will have access to free parking,” he said.
Mr Minns said the new measures would take effect from the next NSW Health pay cycle, after 23 July.
The Deputy Secretary said NSW Health would also seek the assistance of relevant local councils to waive parking fines around hospital and vaccination facilities for healthcare workers during the outbreak.
“We hope this action brings some peace of mind to all our health staff at this challenging time,” he said.
Secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU), Gerard Hayes welcomed the announcement, which followed a call from the HSU to reinstate the free hospital parking for health workers, originally brought in last year at the height of the pandemic.
“No health worker should have to make a decision between exorbitant fees or risking their health in catching public transport to work,” Mr Hayes said.
