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NHS mileage top-up is bid to cushion impact of petrol price hike

Nurses in Scotland can now claim higher rates for essential-user mileage amid calls for staff in social care and the whole of the NHS to be given the same support
Community nurses in Scotland will get higher mileage allowance to reflect rising petrol prices

Nurses in Scotland can now claim higher rates for essential-user mileage amid calls for staff in social care and the whole of the NHS to be given the same support

Community nurses in Scotland will get higher mileage allowance to reflect rising petrol prices
Picture: iStock

Mileage rates paid to nurses in Scotland’s NHS will increase by 5p per mile to ease the impact of rocketing fuel costs.

The increase from 56p to 61p for the first 3,500 miles and from 20p to 25p per mile thereafter – will apply to work-related travel for four months initially and will then be reviewed regularly.

Staff in social care need extra help with fuel costs too

RCN Scotland wants the same support to be shown to staff who work in social care. Director Colin Poolman said: ‘Soaring fuel prices have left some nursing staff subsidising the NHS and having to make really difficult choices between filling up their cars and providing for their families.

‘While this is a modest increase, I know it will be some relief to nurses and nursing support workers who have been under significant financial strain in order to provide care for their patients.’

An NHS Scotland terms and conditions committee document states the Scottish Government and health service recognise rising fuel prices are a concern for staff.

Petrol prices have risen steeply in the past couple of months, with many nurses saying their spending on fuel has gone up £100 a month. The cost of petrol currently sits at £1.61 a litre.

The RCN in England has been campaigning for an urgent review of mileage rates by the NHS Staff Council and the next review due this month.

Now NHS in the rest of the UK needs to catch up

RCN England general secretary Pat Cullen urged the rest of the NHS to ‘catch up’.

‘The cost-of-living crisis is hitting nursing staff hard and the increase in fuel prices is having a particular impact on those who care for patients in the community,’ she said.

‘The NHS in the rest of the UK now has to catch up with Scotland or there is a risk nursing staff already considering leaving the profession feel priced-out and decide not to continue.’


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