Healthcare Interest group Heart of the matter Louise Parfitt chats to Keith Fowler, associate director of facilities and sustainability at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, about his role as chair of the BPA Healthcare Interest group during the past eight years, and meets Kerry Wheat, group head of security and car parking, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and new Healthcare Interest group chair How has the group changed? Keith Fowler (KF): One of the chairs responsibilities is to feed through to BPA Council what is happening in the sector. When I took over, it didnt feel as if we were able to give a full account because the conversation was a blend of different stakeholders: equipment designers, service and technology providers, private sector operators and a few NHS car parking managers. I worked with Yasmin Jefferies at the BPA to increase attendance from NHS parking managers and let them decide what they wanted to explore or learn more about. Now its a member-led agenda, rather than feeling like a sales pitch. What have been the biggest challenges? KF: Implementing contactless systems and different ways of managing permits has been challenging at times, but it has been interesting. There has been a lot of development with the group in terms of supporting members to get themselves to a point where their systems for managing parking could improve. I have had a lot of engagement outside of the meetings, helping trusts with policies, procedures and different systems. That work was ongoing right up until Covid. During the pandemic, we met online on a monthly basis. It was a strange time for our members, so our meetings moved to become more of a support group: a network where we could share how we were feeling and what was happening. We exchanged information about patient activity, how we were trying to support staff, and the impacts of public transport restrictions. The pandemic set us back a number of years in terms of the progress we had made in making sure staff were using the most appropriate modes of transport. It reset us back to staff parking on site, using all of the facilities for free. Also, when things opened up, some public transport services were never reinstated, so that has had a huge impact on how people access healthcare settings, particularly in rural areas. At the beginning of 2021, NHS England Trusts had to implement the governments hospital parking concessions. We engaged with the Department of Health to influence how it could be best managed from an operational perspective, given that we were struggling for resources during a period when we were still managing the implications of the Covid restrictions. Of what are you most proud? KF: During Covid, our meetings became a place where we could check in to help each other through that really difficult time. I stayed as chair for longer than I might otherwise, because I felt it was important to make sure those meetings continued for peoples wellbeing, as well as to share our learnings. How the sector has adapted to the changes is another thing I am so proud of. Earlier on in my time as chair, it was all about helping healthcare settings find ways to better manage their parking estate. Our sector has also embraced technology to help manage staff concessions and adapt to agile working and flexible contracts post-Covid. I am so pleased with the ongoing work to adapt car parking for the future and to get staff to transition back to other modes of transport where possible. For me, to have been part of the team that brought the group to the place it is now is so satisfying. To see how members have developed, been empowered and become a little community is just the best thing. Any final thoughts? KF: The group has grown so much in terms of member engagement and response, and there are many key members now, so I believe the time is right for one of them to take the new ideas and innovation forward. Having someone new will mean the group can achieve even more, and Kerry will do an amazing job: shes got a lot of experience and her input will take the group from strength to strength. I will remain an active member and I look forward to seeing where it goes in the future. I have really enjoyed my time as chair. Id like to thank all the BPA people behind the scenes for their hard work especially Yasmin, Sarah Greenslade and Kelvin Reynolds, who have provided valuable support to me and the group over the years. 32 PN Sept 2023 pp32-33 Healthcare.indd 32 24/08/2023 13:20