NEW car parking arrangements at South West Acute Hospital which could see motorists incur penalties is “a form of punishing the sick”, says the local branch of Unison.
The trade union held a protest at the hospital on Monday afternoon objecting to the changes on the same day they came into effect and calling for parking at the hospital to be free.
Last week it was announced that a third party company has been contracted to assist with day to day traffic management with the Western Health and Social Care Trust retaining control of operational management of car parking and providing guidance and instruction to support the company. 
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Unison said its members have “consistently objected” to the changes and claimed the parking charges will make it “the most expensive car park in Enniskillen.”
“This is an NHS hospital. 
“The charges are 70p an hour with a proposal to rise to 80p an hour. This is the most expensive car park in Enniskillen with an increase of over 14 per cent. 
“Staff have not had a pay rise for many years. Parking should be free.”
The spokeswoman claimed the “punitive measures” will have a “greater impact” on female employees who have caring duties and work Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) and “may be later into work and may not have a space.”
“There are many roles within the Trust which involve community staff. For example; community nurses, social workers and mid wives who have to leave the hospital site to visit their patients or clients. They may not have a parking space on their return. 
“There are shift workers who ensure that there is 24 hour cover on the hospital site who may come on duty at a later time on the day. They may not have a parking space. There are the low paid workers in the NHS and 70p an hour is almost 10 per cent of their wages.”
The spokeswoman added: “No one should have to pay to come to work. We say to the Trust to fix the car parking problems. Firstly, provide sufficient free parking spaces.”