Unite the union has expressed disappointment at the lack of meaningful consultation with staff before the decision was made.

The union says the scheme, due to go live at the end of March, is set to have ‘dire consequences' for staff at the hospital. Unite is warning that the full implications of the contract for their members, NHS workers, patients, and visitors have not been properly considered.

A key concern is the ongoing issue of insufficient parking at both James Cook and The Friarage hospitals. Staff frequently struggle to find spaces, particularly during peak hours, and unions fear that the introduction of Parkingeye's ‘overzealous' enforcement measures could lead to an increase in fines for both staff and patients and will have a detrimental impact on residents in neighbouring housing estates.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘It is morally wrong to be charging frontline NHS staff to park at work, especially as many are low paid and work long unsocial hours.

‘To add insult to injury, without a thought for its own workers, South Tees NHS trust is planning to bring in Parkingeye a company notorious for obsessively applying parking charges. The trust needs to put its workers first and reverse its decision.'

The union is calling on South Tees NHS Foundation Trust to urgently engage in further consultation and ensure that safeguards are put in place to prevent ‘unfair penalties' and mitigate the impact on staff and the wider hospital community. If the trust fails to act the union will consider how to escalate the dispute.

Unite regional officer Sharon Bailey added: ‘NHS staff are already under immense pressure, and the last thing they need is the added stress and financial drain of parking penalties simply for going to work. There are serious concerns about how this contract will impact workers, as well as patients and their families, who are likely to be experiencing difficult circumstances when visiting these hospitals.'

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Tees said: ‘We welcome feedback from our staff and this has been encouraged via staff briefings, staff Facebook and at regular question and answer sessions with our executive team.

'Maintaining the safety of drivers, pedestrians and essential emergency vehicles is a key priority of the group. We have been working closely with local authorities and have engaged with staff side representatives to develop a wider plan to improve parking on our hospital sites. Other initiatives we are looking at to reduce congestion include car sharing, electric bike salary sacrifice, use of public transport, cycle to work schemes, flexible start times and introduction of a park and ride service.'