Ipswich Hospital is set to increase its daily car parking charges for staff from next month.

According to information provided in a newsletter to staff and seen by The Ipswich Star charges are due to be increased from Monday, November 11.

In a number of cases the amount that staff pay to park at the hospital in Heath Road will be doubled and, in some cases, trebled.

Staff in Salary Band 2 will see their daily parking rate more than treble from £0.46 to £1.50 while those in Salary Band 3 will see their rate treble from £0.50 to £1.50.

Those in Salary Band 4 will experience a huge increase from £0.55 to £1.50 while those in Band 5 will see an increase from £0.67 to £2.

Band 6 staff are set to experience a hike from £0.82 to £2 while 'Junior Doctors' renamed Resident Doctors last month will see an increase from £0.93 to £2.

Staff in Salary Band 8A will see the amount they pay more than double from £1.11 to £2.50 while those in 8B with their daily charge increasing from £1.29 to £2.50. 

Hospital staff in Band 8C will see an increase from £1.54 to £2.50 while Speciality Doctors will experience a hike from £1.64 to £2.50.

One hospital employee told this paper their department was "outraged" as they expected were other staff in the hospital.

Another hospital employee claimed they were unaware of the hike until the publication of the newsletter and the information being put online.

However East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) which runs the hospital said that staff will be able to park for free at park and ride sites in London Road, Pinewood and in Martlesham Heath.

An adult ticket costs £3.50 and buses from either site take around 12 minutes to get to the hospital from Martlesham Heath and around 24 minutes from London Road.

However, according to the most recently updated timetable there aren't any services after 7.30 pm which is likely to pose a problem for staff working late or night shifts.

Despite this the trust has said that parking will continue to be free for staff working night shifts and those with disabilities. 

The trust also confirmed that staff are able to benefit from 50% off bus season tickets and 10% off train season tickets, as well as 40% off the cost of a new bike through its cycle to work scheme.

Nick Hulme, ESNEFT chief executive said that car parking charges for staff and visitors were being increased due to the lack of spaces and other transport should be considered if possible.

He said: “Our multi-million-pound investment programme, including the Dame Clare Marx Building in Colchester and our new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre in Ipswich, will significantly improve healthcare for local people.

“However, we know that the number of car parking spaces on each hospital site has reduced because of these and other new buildings, causing anxiety and upset due to the time it can take to find a parking space.

“We also know that because of the increased demand for our services, car parking has become extremely limited and at peak times it is unlikely that you will find a parking space, so the best alternative is to use local park and ride services if you can."