STAFF at Orange Health Service have been told they may face disciplinary action if they park in car parks reserved for the public.
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The Central Western Daily has obtained a copy of a letter issued to staff by Orange hospital general manager Catherine Nowlan warning them if they park illegally they will be reported to their manager and it will be considered in breach of the NSW Health code of conduct.
Staff have also been advised if they park in areas reserved for visitors, or outpatients, they may be “performance managed”.
An Orange Health Service spokesperson said the letter had been sent after concerns over parking issues were raised by staff representatives for nursing and support services at the hospital.
“In response to these concerns a memo was recently distributed reminding staff of the correct areas designated for staff and public car parking,” the spokesperson said.
“A map of the campus was attached to the memo to assist staff ensure they park in the correct area of the campus.”
The warning was circulated to all general hospital staff, mental health and drug and alcohol staff, Spotless (who are responsible for cleaning), staff specialists, visiting medical officers, resident medical officers and junior medical officers.
At Tuesday night’s Orange City Council meeting, during a discussion on parking at the hospital, councillor Glenn Taylor said he was appalled staff at the hospital were told they would be disciplined for parking in public areas.
Councillors resolved to condemn any attempt to discipline specialists and clinicians in relation to parking.
Yesterday Cr Taylor said it was “disgusting that the staff are now being made the scapegoats for not enough parking at the hospital”.
“The community and council should be outraged, bearing in mind the dedication of our staff at the hospital,” he said.
“They [staff] are parking where they can out of desperation and backs what I have said about a crisis in parking - this is not on.”
Orange Health Service management did not respond to a request for comments on the contents of the staff email.
In the letter Ms Nowlan told staff areas A, H and I at the hospital were for visitors only and staff can only park in areas C, D, and J and other areas identified on the Bloomfield campus.
In the memo staff were told “given many of our clients are elderly and may suffer from a range of chronic health conditions it is extremely important that public car parks are available for the public and I wish to remind staff of their professional responsibility in not parking in these areas”.
A staff member who received the letter and asked to remain anonymous, said staff regarded the correspondence as a threat.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au