THE Royal College Of Nursing has rallied behind nurses hit by inflated parking charges at the Great Western Hospital.

In a statement, the nursing union which has more than 400,000 members, blamed the increases on the unrealistic cuts the NHS have been forced to make.

As reported here yesterday, nurses at the hospital reacted angrily after it was announced parking charges for staff are to increase by 50 per cent, to raise funds for an expansion of the car park.

The hospital said the rise had been discussed with staff representatives.

As part of the plan, night shift nurses, who were previously exempt from car parking fees between 7pm and 7am will now have to pay the new £1.50 charge in a parking shake-up which will also apply to weekends and bank holidays.

Julie Connolly, the senior officer for the Royal College of Nursing in the south west, said: “Inflation-busting increases to living costs such as parking are difficult to justify given that staff cannot expect to see their salaries increased accordingly.

“Staff are being asked to do more for less, which is not good for recruitment or morale and impacts on patient care.”

“NHS employers are being forced to make money where they can because they are constantly required to make unrealistic savings while expanding patient services."

“This is another example of the workforce being expected to shoulder the burden.”