HOSPITAL bosses want their neighbours to rent out parking spaces to nurses, doctors and other healthcare staff.
The call has come from Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, which has leafleted hundreds of homes in the surrounding area to ask residents who do not have a car, or whose drive is empty during the day, to rent it out to the hospital for £30 a month.
A hospital spokeswoman said: "There is a parking shortage at the hospital and if we can get places elsewhere for staff, it's going to free up spaces for patients."
The hospital hopes the scheme will start in the next few weeks, but residents are sceptical.
Health chiefs say the cost of renting the driveways will be deducted from staff salaries.
The regional head of health for Unison, Liz Twist, said workers would be furious about rising charges. Staff have seen charges go up 43 per cent from £21 a month to £30 a month.
Bosses say charges must go up from next month as the car parks are running at a loss.
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