Hospital staff at Medway Maritime Hospital are reportedly seeking employment in pubs and taking on cash-in-hand work to supplement reduced shift wages and cope with increased parking costs. One midwife stated that she had to budget £250 per month for travel to work and expressed frustration, saying, "They're kicking us whilst we're down, and I could get more as a cleaner. Some of us are doing cash-in-hand work in pubs." She added, "It sounds ridiculous. How can you be such a qualified professional, but you're getting more money pulling pints behind a bar?"
The hospital has implemented a 20% reduction in bank shift wages while simultaneously increasing parking fees. According to a hospital trust statement, income from car parks is prioritized for maintenance before being allocated to patient care and services.
Beyond financial implications, the reduction in wages has contributed to staffing shortages. The midwife noted, "We're short-staffed, we're asking people to work outside of their specialties." This situation arises as the hospital faces a reported £47 million deficit.
Teresa Murray, Medway Council deputy leader, indicated a desire to meet with hospital leadership to discuss the issue, stating, "The hospital has a £47m deficit and this is their decision to make, but overall, this is not making anything any better."