I sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Wellness, Michelle Thompson, regarding the short-sighted policy of banning Healthcare workers from parking on-site.
This policy has degraded their working conditions and cost vital Healthcare staff their time, money, and safety. Healthcare workers deserve a review of this policy immediately and a chance to have their concerns heard.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Minister Thompson,
I would like to bring to your attention a concern regarding parking at provincial Health Centres raised by a number of my constituents. The new provincial policy that bans Health staff from parking at these facilities has the effect of complicating and degrading their working conditions, whether this impact was intended or not.
As you well know, Nova Scotia’s invaluable Healthcare workers arrive daily at facilities which are often understaffed and over-capacity. Due to this policy, which coincides with a period of no provincial healthcare facilities being offered at no charge to the general public, Healthcare staff are now being forced to park at a distance from their work site, a measure which imposes costs on staff’s time and money.
Constituents of mine who work in Healthcare in HRM, Hants, Colchester and the South Shore have expressed concerns for their own safety as a result of this policy because remaining parking options are often poorly lit and distant, two considerable factors for staff who must access their vehicle in the early morning and at night.
A notable number of Sackville-Cobequid constituents have shared their legitimate concerns with the implementation of this policy and its direct impact on their working conditions, work/life balance and morale. They’ve noted longer walk times and increased pressure on precious time in order to locate parking when they begin various work sites. Based on their voices, this policy intervention is not increasing the efficiency of which burden our Healthcare workers, and I strongly urge you to consider the government’s claims of value on these staff and its priority to recruit and retain them.
Minister, I know that we agree on the incredible importance of Healthcare staff. I respect that you place your faith in thoughtful consultation and thoughtful consideration as a leader in addressing the Healthcare crisis that remains urgent across our province. I share this concern with you in hope that, along with its tangible challenges, the implementation of this parking policy in order to make timely, common sense adjustments to it that better accommodate our diligent Healthcare staff.
Sincerely,
Paul Wozney
