We’re calling for NHS staff who are required to travel for their work to get more financial support from the Scottish government during the current fuel crisis.

With fuel prices rising day by day in the past few weeks, driven by events in the Middle East, the joint health trade unions have written to the Scottish government calling for an increase in mileage allowances.

NHS Scotland Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC) staff side has written to the Director of Workforce at the Scottish government raising concerns about the spiralling cost of fuel. 

The letter acknowledges that the crisis is affecting the whole economy, but points out that “at the current reimbursement rate members are in essence subsiding the delivery of NHS services”.

Petrol is more than 20p per litre on average more expensive than in 2024, the last time rates were raised during a cost of living crisis, with diesel 40p more expensive.

Nursing staff caring for patients in their own homes and in the community predominantly drive to and from visits in their personal vehicles, with some driving hundreds of miles per week.

Colin Poolman, Director, RCN Scotland Executive Director, said: 

“Soaring fuel costs are having a significant impact on our members who have to pay to continue to do their job every day. It is unfair that they should be expected to subsidise the NHS. We and the other health trade unions want to work with the Scottish government to bring some relief to nurses and nursing support workers who have been under significant financial strain in order to provide care for their patients.”