Cllr Harkin: Healthcare professionals deserve a fairer rate of reimbursement for mileage

People Before Profit Councillor, Shaun Harkin, has called upon the Department for Health to properly reimburse healthcare professionals for miles clocked up while doing their job on the road.

Carers, district nurses and occupational therapists perform a significant amount of their duties by visiting patients at their own homes,

As they travel to one patient after another, the more their own pockets are dented with petrol expenses for their motor vehicles which they use in order to ensure each patient is seen to.

Such costs have been mounting up and Cllr Harkin insisted that the Department pay a fairer reimbursement rate for mileage expenses to ensure that the ever-growing cost of petrol doesn't not eat into the personal budgets of each health worker.

He said: “Homecare workers, district nurses and occupational therapists take care of some of the most vulnerable in our society, but they're struggling to pay their bills. As a result, many are facing hardship.

“I joined Unison Foyle Branch members at Altnagelvin Hospital to deliver a letter to Western Trust CEO Neil Guckian demanding the Trust and the Department of Health immediately increase the mileage reimbursement rate so that they can continue to perform this vital service and pay for the cost of travel.

“Without action this is in effect yet another pay cut and slap in the face for those at the heart of the health service.

“For workers in the private sector the mileage reimbursement rate is shamefully low or non-existent.

“We encourage all workers to take action now for increased mileage reimbursement rates and better pay.”

The Department for Health responded by saying that discussions on changes to mileage reimbursement were “ongoing” and that “further engagement” was planned.

A spokesperson said: “Mileage rates for all Agenda for Change staff are reimbursed at rates agreed nationally by the NHS Staff Council, a UK-wide body with responsibility for the Agenda for Change pay system.

“A rate of 56p per mile is payable for the first 3,500 miles each year of business use. This rate is designed to compensate for normal wear and tear on a vehicle, depreciation, and to contribute to insurance costs and the road fund license, in addition to an amount for fuel.

“After 3,500 miles have been exceeded, the rate of reimbursement of 20p per mile is towards fuel costs only.

“Trades Unions have asked the Staff Council to re-visit the allowances, in light of increasing fuel costs.

“Discussions are still ongoing in regards to any changes to the reimbursement of mileage costs at NHS Staff Council.

“Further engagement is planned in partnership with Trades Unions at a national level.”