SWEEPING changes to staff parking charges at a Hampshire hospital will see bills slashed for some frontline workers – while top-end earners could see their permit charges triple.

Those who are on lower incomes will make a saving as Southampton General Hospital links permit prices to wages. Unison members say they are pleased that health chiefs have recognised the disparity between top earners and those on lower pay.

Those who will benefit include porters, who can take home as little as £13,653, and nurses and entry level midwives, who get from £21,176.

Consultants, who get between £74,504 and £176,242, will see permit costs rise.

The move comes as the hospital attempts to tackle the strain on parking space at the site. A consultant will see the cost of their permit rise to £60 a month, midwives will have to pay £30 a month but porters and nurses will pay just £15. Currently all staff pay £20 a month for a permit in a barrier car park, or £10 a month for a roadside parking space. Figures are adjusted for part-time workers.

As part of the proposals hospital bosses will use the extra cash to introduce an additional park-and-ride scheme for staff and improve cycle facilities. To help reduce the impact of rises for higher paid members of staff, those expected to pay £60 will be asked to pay a reduce fee of £45 for the first 12 months.

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This shake-up of charges will not affect parking used by patients and the public.

Two months ago the Daily Echo revealed £60,000 in bonus payouts were shared among seven executive directors, despite the announcement of 400 job losses earlier in the year. Mark Hackett, chief executive of Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Accommodating the number of staff, patients and visitors who would like to park on our site continues to be a challenge and we have been working hard to address the situation.

“This move will be unpopular with some staff as it will cost them more per month but it is essential that we resolve our parking issues if we are to develop as a regional centre.”

David Prout from Unison said: “It shows that hospital bosses have finally recognised the huge difference between what the top earners are paid compared to those on the lowest pay scale.”

The newcharges are expected to be introduce in the new year.