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RCN members lead action for change to access for work across Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

29 Feb 2024

RCN members met with Chief Executive of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Peter Lewis on Tuesday 27 February to give him a letter, signed by more than 2000 trust staff and local people, asking for improvements to parking and transport, particularly to the 2 main acute trust sites in Taunton and Yeovil.

RCN members from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust hand their chief executive a collective car parking protest letter on 27 February (group with RCN flags and tabards)

RCN members have reported issues including:

  • staff feeling unsafe
  • unreasonable penalties
  • damage to cars in staff parking areas
  • lack of public transport at shift change times
  • lack of spaces for permit holders
  • lack of transparency to the permit system
    affordability of permits
  • lack of CCTV in trust car parks
  • poor maintenance of trust car parks
  • lack of lighting in trust car parks
  • thefts of bicycles
  • no secure place to store bicycles
  • poor reporting systems.

RCN members are asking the trust to set up a working group with staff representation to look into the problems and work with local partners to improve access for staff and patients.

Lucy Muchina, Regional Director, RCN South West said:

“Our members have raised significant concerns about their ability to get to and from work safely, affordably and in a timely manner. We are asking the trust to hear these concerns and work with their staff to find ways to improve the situation. 

I hope that the trust will see that this is a matter concerning many of their staff and that it’s of mutual benefit to work with them to identify solutions. We have heard from our members some great, cost-effective ideas for improvements and they deserve to be heard.”

 

Page last updated - 29/07/2024