Data from just 17 NHS trusts show more than 25,000 fines have been given to NHS workers during 2024, sparking an angry reaction from their representatives
14:36, 18 Oct 2025
Furious NHS workers have demanded action after it emerged staff have been fined millions for parking while at work.
Data from just 17 NHS trusts show more than 25,000 fines have been given to NHS workers during 2024, according to data obtained by Channel 4 News FactCheck.
If the average fine is in the region of £60 that means staff have been fined £1.5 million - although the true figure is likely to be far higher..
Patricia Marquis, executive director of the Royal College of Nursing said: “It's really shocking to see it laid out like that, to see the scale of it across only 17 trusts - and imagine what that looks like when you multiply that by the 300-plus trusts that there are in England.
“It really is of concern to think that nurses are regularly, it would appear, being fined for being at work.
“Our absolute clear message to both the Government and to trusts themselves is they should be providing safe, cost-effective parking or travel means so that everyone can get to work without worry and without actually it costing them an extortionate amount.”
Many trusts said they were not able to provide information because third-party providers deal with their parking fines.
Others said they did not differentiate between staff and patient or visitor fines.
One neonatal nurse, Lisa Duggan, said she was fined after being unable to park in one of the staff car parks at her hospital, which she has a permit for.
In order to get to her shift on time she used one of the other car parks at her hospital. Even though she had her staff parking permit on display, she was handed a fine.
And because of delays while trying to contest the ticket with a third-party parking operator, Ms Duggan ended up paying nearly £300.
She said: “I don't think there’s any care and compassion. I don't think it's fair for staff to be put in this situation.”
The Mirror has highlighted the issues of numerous parking fines and rising charges, saying they are an "extra tax" on hard working staff.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Free parking is available for those in greatest need, including all NHS staff who work overnight.
“While hospital car park charges are the responsibility of individual NHS trusts, we expect all charges to be reasonable and in line with the local area. Exploitation or mistreatment of hardworking NHS staff is unacceptable.”