Health New Zealand needs to go back to the drawing board and prioritise worker safety after reversing plans to charge hospital workers market rates for car parks, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation says.

As first reported by Chris Lynch Media, Health New Zealand had planned to introduce market rate parking at the hospital.

Consultation had been due to remain open until 18 February.

It has now scrapped the plans.

NZNO delegate and Christchurch health care assistant Al Dietschin said members were angered they were not consulted on the draft policy.

“Last year there were several shocking attacks on hospital health workers forced to walk to their cars because they can’t park at or near their workplaces. This includes a Palmerston North nurse being carjacked and a Christchurch nurse being left with a concussion.

“Our members provided robust feedback that charging health workers market rates for car parks was not the answer and would leave those unable to pay up to $100 a week even less safe.

“This is an embarrassing U turn for Te Whatu Ora, but it is heartening they have listened to our members. Te Whatu Ora now has a chance to get this right and consult on and draft a policy that makes car parking for health workers safe, reliable and affordable,” Dietschin said.

Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said “It’s outrageous that Health New Zealand thought it could make cleaners, nurses, and other frontline staff pay more just to park at work,”

“This half-baked plan to outsource parking and slug workers more has rightly been scrapped. Staff spoke up and they won.“People are already under pressure from a worsening cost of living crisis. Slapping massive parking fees on people visiting hospital would have piled on even more stress.

“Hospitals need car parks, but they shouldn’t be built off the backs of low-paid workers and patients.

“This is yet another example of a government that’s completely out of touch – cutting jobs, driving up GP costs, and trying to make it more expensive for New Zealanders to visit the hospital,” Ayesha Verrall said.

The Public Service Association also welcomed the decision.

National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said, “This was a mean spirited plan, putting profits over patients and health workers and the blame sits squarely on the shoulders of Health Minister Simeon Brown.”

Burwood Ward Councillor Kelly Barber said on Wednesday, “I would like to understand the problem they are trying to solve by introducing parking charges at Burwood Hospital, because I can already see the problems they are likely to create for local residents.”

A Burwood Hospital staff member who contacted chrislynchmedia.com said she was disappointed staff had been given a short window to make submissions.

“I do not want to appear entitled about having to pay for parking,” she said.

“My concern is what will happen to the surrounding streets if staff, visitors, and patients start parking outside the hospital grounds to avoid fees.”

Health New Zealand previously said it would not be progressing any changes at this time.