Staff parking charges to be suspended at Scarborough and Bridlington hospitals from tomorrow

The suspension is being put in place at York, Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals with immediate effect from tomorrow.

In a statement on social media York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospitals, said it was a move to support staff getting to and from work for the duration of the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak.

The statement continued: "From April 1 payroll deductions for parking will be stopped, and pay and display machines will be switched off this evening.

"Staff with parking permits can park on any site for free."

The Trust said it was also looking at how to introduce a daily free meal for staff in the hospitals' restaurants.

It added: "We are working through the details, which will take effect in the coming days, so keep an eye out for updates.

"Our restaurants have already been restricted to staff only to help cut down on time spent in queues for food on busy shifts.

"We hope these small gestures will enable to you stay healthy and feel supported during what are challenging and increasingly difficult times. Thank you."

Staff from Bridlington Hospital have been moved to the Scarborough site to help with the fight against coronavirus.

Earlier today (Monday March 23) the Trust confirmed the first cases of Covid-19 in Scarborough Hospital.

A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that we are currently caring for a number of patients who have tested positive for the Covid-19 infection.

"They are being safely cared for by our highly skilled team at Scarborough Hospital and all of the appropriate protection measures are in place.”