BOSSES at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital have hit back at criticism of changes to the criteria for staff parking on site.

They say they have made only small adjustments to who qualifies for permits to use the multi-storey car park and few staff will miss out.

They were reacting to dozens of complaints about the changes, with one employee from Wellington upset after she was told she would no longer be able to buy a permit as she lived closer than eight miles away – the old limit was seven miles.

A Musgrove spokeswoman said nobody has so far been told they would not qualify for a permit and that applications are still being considered.

A Musgrove spokeswoman said: “We are aware there is some concern from staff about the current process for colleagues to apply for parking permits through Q-Park, so we wanted to take the opportunity to reassure staff that everyone with a genuine need for a parking permit will receive one.

“Although the criteria has ever so slightly changed for the permits - which consists of a small amendment for the mileage requirements - we expect this to have a very minimal impact on colleagues.”

Deputy chief executive Peter Lewis said: “We anticipate that over 95% of people who currently hold a parking permit will receive a new one.

“We are however, going through this process carefully to identify where there are people who currently have a permit and do not meet the criteria, so that we can give those permits to other colleagues who really need one.

“It will also allow us the flexibility to support as many colleagues as possible to get a parking permit.

“We would like to reiterate to everyone that this process has been introduced to support as many colleagues as possible to get a permit, and almost all staff who have a pass will receive one again.

“Our focus is to support staff who want passes to get them, however we need to be fair and ensure that those who have a genuine need are approved first.”

Staff concerned about their parking permit application are being advised to contact Musgrove’s car park operators Q Park, who are based on site.