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Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 Hospital staff work in pubs to balance cost pressure

The cost of parking at Medway Maritime Hospital has increased while shift wages have reduced by 20%.

* Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital has a £47m deficit.
* Staff are picking up shifts in pubs to balance cost pressures caused by increased parking charges and wage cuts.
* Parking at the hospital now costs £15 per day, up from £9.20.
* Bank shift wages were reduced by 20% in May.
* A midwife said that staff have to budget £250 a month for travel expenses, leading some to consider quitting their jobs.
* Some staff are doing cash-in-hand work in pubs to make ends meet.
* The trust claims that all income from car parks goes towards maintenance and patient care.
* Medway Council deputy leader wants to meet with hospital leadership to discuss the issue.