Free parking for health care staff reinstated with immediate effect

The instruction was given by Health Minister Robin Swann to all Trusts across the north and will remain in place until March 31, 2021.

Mr Swann said: “As our valued staff enter into a most challenging and pressurised time, I hope that this provides some welcome news.”

The move follows today’s budgetary announcement of additional funding allocated to the Department of Health for free staff car parking until the end of March 2021.

This is the second period of free parking in response to Covid-19. Free parking was put in place for HSC staff in the period April 1 to June 30.

In March 2020 the Minister secured additional funding to cover a three month period of free car parking for HSC staff during the initial Covid surge.

For staff who pay for parking through their salaries, an adjustment will be made for the free parking period.

Staff who pay at hospital car parking machines can get refunds for the free parking period.

Minister Robin Swann has also welcomed the overall new Covid-19 allocations totalling £566 million for the Department of Health.

The Minister said: “I realise that the scale of pressures several departments continue to face at this particularly challenging time significantly exceeds the available funding. I therefore welcome the additional allocations to my department which includes £526.7 million resource and £32.4 million capital funding, which will be essential in our fight against Covid-19.

“The funding will enable us to augment still further our stocks of PPE, and facilitate safe storage; continue with enhancements to our test trace and isolate systems; and provide funding for our ongoing response to this pandemic, such as the completion of the second Nightingale Hospital at Whiteabbey.

“A further allocation of £7.3m provided to my department for hospices and the Cancer Fund for Children, will help support the important services they provide given the impact of Covid-19 on their fundraising activities.”

Funding of £6.3 million was also provided from in year monitoring.

Minister Swann also highlighted the continuing pressures surrounding the future funding requirements for Health.

He concluded: “This year has underlined the need to expect the unexpected. There are inevitable uncertainties about the path this pandemic will take and the future funding pressures that will be faced.

“A vaccine for Covid-19 would require significant investment.

“I am confident that the commitment displayed by the Executive to tackle the unprecedented challenges posed by this pandemic will be maintained. This will allow us to continue the necessary support for health and social care staff working at the front line.

“On behalf of myself, the people of Northern Ireland and my Executive colleagues, I take this opportunity to again express my sincere thanks to, appreciation of, and admiration for their heroic efforts.”