An additional £8million is to be given to health trusts to help them cope with the rising costs of fuel.
The extra funding will also be used to help cover the costs of the 10% increase to mileage allowances for nurses and other health and social care staff who use their own vehicles for official business. This is part of a national agreement on staff travel between NHS employers and health unions.
Announcing the additional funding, the Minister said: “Everyone is feeling the pinch of rising costs in food, fuel and other commodities. I am very concerned that the health and social care service is doubly hit by these rising costs as it also strives to meet 3% efficiency savings under the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“I am not prepared to allow the increased costs to reduce the planned service improvements I have fought so hard to secure. That is why I am allocating an extra £8million to help the health and social care service meet these additional pressures. This money will make a significant contribution to the additional costs of staff travel and the increased costs of fuel which impact on energy and transport bills for all Trusts, including the Ambulance Service.
“It is essential that the health service is able to function to the best of its ability and continue to deliver high quality services to patients across Northern Ireland.”
