HOSPITAL staff are said to be scrambling for parking spaces after visiting managers from other hospitals were given priority.

Southend Hospital is allowing managers visiting from neighbouring Basildon and Broomfield hospitals free priority parking in a staff car park when they attend meetings.

Nurses and other staff who pay to park in a designated car park have been left competing for spaces in the hospital’s public car parks which are filled to capacity most days.

Whistleblowers say the move has led to clinical staff being delayed on their way to shifts while security staff are said to have had to break up rows.

The three hospitals merged earlier this year under one chief executive; Clare Panniker.

A nurse who asked not to be named, said: “The top brass from the other two hospitals are coming to Southend and getting free preferential parking spaces.

“It’s prevented some staff getting to their shifts.

“It’s caused massive problems to staff and visitors.

“Security has had to break up rows. They rotate executive meetings so we get about 30 people coming to meetings and taking up staff parking spaces.”

She added: “We are paying a salary sacrifice of £20 a month or £1 a day but not having parking spaces.”

The hospital has three parking areas along with a tiered car park but its own website warns spaces are limited and the public is advised to visit by public transport if possible.

Visitors can park free of charge for 30 minutes and then pay from £3.10 for up to three hours and £10 for a day.

The hospital said the income generated by staff, patients and visitors using the car parks, which in 2016/17 totalled £1.8million, goes towards the costs and maintenance of the car parks and toward patient care.

Eamon Malone, chief estates and facilities officer for mid Essex, Southend and Basildon hospitals, said: “Southend, Basildon and Mid Essex hospitals work together to provide the best outcomes for patients in mid and south Essex and as such, a small number of staff from across the three trusts sometimes need to travel to the other sites.”

He added: “Car parking spaces are available for staff at each hospital site on a first come, first serve basis and no preference is given to members of staff from any of the three trusts.”