Reimburse NHS nurses fuel mileage rates in full, union urges
Posted 06 April 2022 - 16:02
RCN claims to have identified several NHS organisations that pay nurses less than the fuel mileage rates that have been set by NHS employers
As petrol prices continue to soar, chief nurses across England are being asked to ensure their organisation is paying correct mileage rates – alongside calls for an urgent review into the current rates.
The RCN claims to have identified several NHS organisations that pay nurses less than the mileage rates set by NHS employers and is calling on chief nurses to use their influence to ensure their trust is reimbursing nurses correctly.
Reimbursement guidance says staff should be paid 56p for the first 3,500 miles driven, and 20p per mile thereafter.
RCN says it will take local action to negotiate an increase in trusts’ mileage rates
But when asked by Nursing Standard, the RCN declined to provide the names of the trusts they claim are not paying correct mileage rates, or how many were identified.
The college said it will be taking local action to negotiate an increase in mileage rates within trusts that are paying below the recommended rate.
Director of RCN England Patricia Marquis said: ‘Nursing staff caring for patients in their own homes and in the community predominantly drive to and from visits in personal vehicles, with some driving hundreds of miles per week,’ she said.
‘We hope that the executive teams of England’s NHS trusts will support us as we take action to ensure every member of staff receives the mileage rates they require.’
Petrol still unaffordable for many nurses
The college warned many district and community nurses who are spending hundreds of pounds a month on fuel are being forced to choose between filling up their car and buying food.
In March, chancellor Rishi Sunak cut fuel duty by 5 pence per litre for the next 12 months, meaning fuel duty is now 52.75 pence per litre.
But many nurses claim the measure doesn’t go far enough and that petrol is still unaffordable.
NHS England did not respond to the Nursing Standard when asked whether they would be supporting calls for a mileage review.
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