The NHS is to inject an extra £8 million into Northern Ireland health trusts to combat the affects of rising fuel costs.

The 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.

The decision has been made as part of a national settlement on staff travel, agreed between NHS employers and health unions. 



Announcing the additional funding, the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey 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.

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"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.

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"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," added Mr McGimpsey. 


(PR/JM)