Union hits back over plans to cut mileage rate in NHS
A UNION has warned a local NHS trust that could face a legal challenge over plans to cut staff mileage rates.
Unite claims that Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust staff, especially those based in rural parts of Northumberland, could be left hundreds of pounds worse off when they use their own cars to carry out their work.
From April 1, health visitors, midwives, community nursery nurses, district nurses and speech and language therapists will be paid 24p a mile – the public transport rate – and not the current 47p a mile.
But the trust has hit back at the criticism saying it is only bringing rates in line with other NHS staff, as well as offering employees the option of a lease car.
Unite regional officer Martin Wright said: “I am very disappointed that management are imposing this after a failure to agree with the trade unions.
“They are offering the lease car option for staff instead of paying the proper private mileage rate, but that may not be suitable or financially feasible for everyone.
“If the trust presses ahead with this, it could face a legal challenge for unlawful deduction of wages at an employment tribunal.
“Northumberland is a very rural county and many health staff need their cars to do their jobs.
“At a time when, petrol prices are at a record high and the cost of motoring entering the realms of the prohibitive, the trust’s plans are unacceptable.”
A trust spokeswoman said: “We have a duty as a public sector organisation to make sure that we deliver the best value for money for taxpayers.
“This is about aligning staff in the community business unit, who joined our organisation in April 2011, with the rest of the trust, including our team of community midwives, where the revised rates were introduced in April 2010.
“The revised travel reimbursement for staff who use their own cars for business covers the incremental cost of additional miles and, along with the offer of a lease car, adheres to national terms and conditions for staff working in the NHS.
“We are not suggesting staff use public transport.
“The implementation follows lengthy consultation with trade unions.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blyth
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 1 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
derfledermause
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 09:23 AMThis action is disgusting. I have had open heart surgery and once home have enjoyed the visits from NHS staff. However, Allready they are working under duress in relation to milage payments. This simply adds to the stress that these people are working under. This will inevitably lead to patients being left to look after themselves in their own homes. Remember Northumberland county council have not revealed the amount they are going to cut from the social care budget. This will simply make a disasterous problem very much worse.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.