North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Policy Communication Cover Sheet Policy Name: Post Holder Responsible: Approved by: Replaces: PARKING POLICY Philip Sutcliffe, Director of Corporate Services Executive Team N/A Review Date: March 2007 Available on Trust Intranet Yes COMMUNICATION Consultation has taken place with the following groups and organisations: Joint Staff Committee The Patients Forum It shall be the responsibility of all Directors, Managers and Service Leads to ensue this policy is adhered to and those staff who are issued with a car parking permit understand their responsibilities and the consequences of inappropriate use of the permit or car parking facilities. Page 1 of 11
PARKING POLICY Authorised by: Chief Executive Implemented by: Owner: Assistant Directors General Managers Service Managers Director of Corporate Services Issue Date: March 2006 Review Date: March 2007 Page 2 of 11
Record of Amendments Amendment Date Detail Page Part & Paragraph No: No(s) No(s) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Page 3 of 11
PART I PARKING POLICY 1. Introduction 1.1 In common with other NHS Trusts and public sector organisations, The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust has a Travel Plan to reduce the impact of travel to and from the site. This, in turn, is part of the government s commitment and NHS initiatives to reduce and minimise traffic congestion and manage transport pollution. 1.2 The initiatives outlined above clearly require a long term, strategic approach. There is also the day to day issue of managing the increasing demand for car parking and to ensure that the Trust s policy on public and staff parking is the same across both Northwick Park & St. Mark s Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital. 2. The Aim 2.1 The Trust acknowledges that car parking is a key service to our patients, visitors and staff. This policy aims to ensure that appropriate controls on the demand for parking spaces are managed effectively and thus respect the needs of those with mobility and other transport problems, those visiting the Trust for a short period of time, those working unsociable hours and those whose job roles involve them working within the community and other Trust sites 3. The Policy Statement 3.1 The Trust will control the demand for car parking spaces, to ensure that priority is given to the greatest need wherever possible. This will be done through: 3.1.1 The provision of free disabled spaces to registered drivers 3.1.2 Applying fair charges for parking for both short and long periods 3.1.3 Restricting the allocation of staff parking permits 3.1.4 Ensure that car parking charges do not lead to subsidisation of parking from core NHS funding for patient care. 3.1.5 Supporting other transportation methods to reduce the number of cars entering the site 3.1.6 Encouraging car share schemes and other Travel Plan initiatives Page 4 of 11
4. Car Park Management Responsibilities 4.1 At Northwick Park and St. Mark s Hospital the car park services are managed and operated by First Management Group, under contract to the Trust. 4.2 At Central Middlesex Hospital the car park services are managed and operated by Town and City Parking Limited, under contract to the ByCentral PFI Consortium. 4.3 The Trust s Authorised Officer is the Support Services Manager, who is responsible for the monitoring of these contracts. 5. All Parking Areas 5.1 The car parking contractors at both sites are responsible for the provision of services and the availability of spaces, as detailed in each site specific contract twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year. 5.2 In addition each contractor shall: 5.2.1 Provide traffic management in the car parks and internal roadways to ensure the free flow of traffic 5.2.2 Provide an administration service that controls all parking related administration and revenue collection 5.2.3 Ensure that all designated / priority spaces are used solely by their intended user group, including regular patrolling of these areas and checking the validity of blue badge holders where necessary and appropriate. 5.2.4 Maintain all parking areas as detailed in each site specific contract. 5.2.5 Ensure that parking areas are kept clean and free from litter and debris. 5.2.6 Ensure that the appropriate action is taken in line to ensure safe access and egress in anticipation of severe weather conditions. 5.2.7 Ensure that all applicable signage is provided as detailed in each site specific contract and that any temporary changes are made in a clear and timely manner as circumstances prevail. 5.2.8 Deal with customer and media enquiries complaints promptly and effectively, in line with the appropriate Trust deputant, taking into account special circumstances detailed in each site specific contract. 5.2.9 Ensure that all security incidents are reported to the Trust s Security Control and the appropriate action taken as required/directed. 5.2.10 Provide accurate and timely information to patients, visitors and staff as requested. Page 5 of 11
5.3 Contraventions to parking procedures and regulations will result in the application of the Enforcement Policy detailed within each site specific contract. 6. Disabled Parking Areas 6.1 Disabled parking facilities are provided at both sites and it is the aim to provide these to correct Department for Transport recommendations and to meet Local Authority planning norms. The car parking contractors are responsible for ensuring that these spaces are used solely by their intended users. 6.2 Allocated disabled spaces are provided for all staff who request a space and who are blue badge holders. No charge is made for these spaces. 7. Public Parking Tariffs 7.1 Public parking tariffs are applied in line with each site specific contract, with the underlying objective being to apply the same tariff across both sites for facilities of the same quality. 7.2 Concessionary tickets are available for 3, 5 and 7 days at each site that allow unlimited use of the parking facilities during the period of ticket issue. Details are available on the Trust s website, at information points within wards and the main entrances and at the car park pay points. 7.3 These tariffs will be reviewed on an annual basis for application on 1 January each year and any changes agreed with the Trust prior to implementation. 7.4 No charge is made for allocated public disabled parking spaces. 8. Staff Car Parking Permit Allocation 8.1 The staff car parking permit allocation is designed to restrict the number of staff who have access to the car park to ensure that priority groups are accommodated as far as reasonable practicable. Those who have the most need to use their cars will be guaranteed quick and convenient access to car parking facilities. Permit allocation will be applied as follows: Page 6 of 11
Staff Car Parking Permit Allocation Criteria 2006 Policy Are you a Trust Employee? No Permit will be issued subject to availability against quota. Yes Are you Registered Disabled or Certified Medical Need? Yes A space specific permit will be issued where possible. No Do you work regular shifts with adverse times? Yes Permit will be issued. No Do you live in excess of Two Miles from your base? No Permit will be issued subject to availability against quota. Yes Score against Travel Plan Criteria. 3 or more Permit will be issued. Less than 3 criteria met Permit will be issued subject to availability against quota. Travel Plan Criteria Participation in Car Sharing scheme Vehicle of 1300cc and below Special Domestic Needs Regular need for cross site travel No direct public transport link. 8.1.1 *certified medical need has to be identified in writing by an Occupational Health Physician. *Regular shifts with adverse times are those worked on a roster basis commencing from 11.00am and finishing after 7.30pm. Permanent night staff workers will be guaranteed a permit. *All Car Sharing schemes must be formally registered and approved by the Trust s Support Services Manager. *Special domestic needs are those who have responsibilities as carers that cannot reasonably be met by using public transport. Page 7 of 11
*Public transport links must be identified using the TfL journey planning system to identify options for alternative methods of travel to work: www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner 8.2 At the beginning of each permit round, all applications will be scored and permits issued to those meeting the above allocation criteria until all of the available car parking spaces have been allocated. Any applicants who are not successful will be put on a waiting list. 8.3 The number of permits issued to non-trust personnel and organisations on-site will be controlled: 8.3.1 Allocations stated in lease agreements will be rigorously enforced 8.3.2 All other allocations will be capped based on the number of spaces available after Trust spaces have been allocated and according to allocation criteria 8.4 Permits for Trust Volunteers will be issued at no charge. 8.5 If any spaces become available during the year they will be allocated depending upon the criteria score not the length of time on the waiting list. However, if there are more applicants with the same criteria score, then the number of spaces available, the permits will be issued to those with the highest score that have been on the waiting list the longest. 8.6 Inappropriate use of a car parking permit or use of the car parking facilities will lead to the withdrawal of the permit. This includes passing permits on to other people to use. 9 Payment for Staff Car Parking Permits 9.1 Payments for Trust staff permits will be via monthly deduction from payroll. No other method of payment will be accepted. 9.2 Non-Trust staff working for Harrow PCT and Central and North West London NHS Trust will be charged on a quarterly basis via the Trust s respective financial departments. 9.3 All other permit holders will be invoiced directly for permits issued. Permits will not be issued until payment is received by the Trust. Refunds will not be made once a 12 month permit has been issued. 9.4 All replacements for lost permits/swipe cards will be charged at 10.00 per loss. Permits that require updating owing to a change in users registration will be provided free of charge, provided that the old permit is redeemed, if not a fee of 10.00 will be charged for each new permit requested. Page 8 of 11
10 Motorbikes and Cycles 10.1 Motorbike facilities are provided in the Multi-Storey Car Park at Northwick Park & St. Mark s Hospital and in the Basement Car Park at Central Middlesex Hospital. Staff motorbike drivers are required to apply for a staff permit. 10.2 Cycle bays are provided for the general public on the grounds of both hospitals. 10.3 Cycle bays are provided for staff in the Basement Car Park at Central Middlesex Hospital in a lock-up facility. Staff will be required to provide their own padlocks. Shower and locker facilities for cyclists are provided in the staff changing rooms on level 2 of the BECaD building. Facilities at Northwick Park and St. Mark s Hospital are under review. 11 Trust Service Vehicles 11.1 Trust service vehicles, excluding lease cars, are permitted to park on-site without charge. Applications for a permit issue must be made in the normal way and a service vehicle permit will be issued. 12 Responsibility 12.1 The policy is managed by the Corporate Services Directorate. Staff car parking permits are issued by the car parking contractor on each site. 12.2 Staff car parking applications are submitted to the Support Services Manager who is responsible for the authorisation of a permit based on the above criteria. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by the car parking contractor on each site. 12.3 It shall be the responsibility of all Directors, Managers and Service Leads to ensure this policy is adhered to and those staff who are issued with a car parking permit understand their responsibilities and the consequences of inappropriate use of the permit or car parking facilities. 12.4 The Parking Strategy Review Group will meet on a quarterly basis to review the Parking Policy. The Staff Car Parking Permit Allocation Criteria will be reviewed on an annual basis in October. Page 9 of 11
APPENDIX 1 Membership of Parking Strategy Review Group Head of Facilities Finance Representative Support Services Manager Patient Forum Representative Estates / Project Services Representative General Managers (2 Representatives) Human Resources Representative Patient User Representative (From Hospital User Bank) PALS Representative Staff Side Representative(s) as nominated by the JSC Chair Page 10 of 11
APPENDIX 2 Current Public Parking Tariffs with effect from 1 April 2006 Time Central Middlesex Hospital Time Northwick Park & St. Mark s Hospital Up to 30 0.90 Up to 40 mins. 0.90 (Day Surgery only) mins Up to 1hr 1.30 0 4 hr 2.80 Up to 2hr 2.60 4 5 hr 3.40 Up to 4hr 5.20 5 6 hr 4.00 Up to 6hr 7.80 6 7 hr 4.70 Up to 8hr 9.80 7 8 hr 5.40 Up to 13.00 8 24 hr 6.90 24hr 3 day TBC 3 day TBC 5 day 13.40 5 day 13.40 7 day 18.60 7 day 18.60 Staff Permit Tariffs per annum from 1 May 2006 Area Central Middlesex Hospital Northwick Park & St. Mark s Hospital Basement 400 N/A MSCP N/A 400 J-Block N/A 500 General 140 (up to January 2007 only) 140 Surface Motorbikes Free of charge (under review) Free of charge (under review) Cycles Free of charge Free of charge Page 11 of 11