DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has issued an urgent appeal to the Health Minister to reconsider the current policy on travel cost reimbursement for domiciliary care workers. The South Down representative warned that the combination of stagnant mileage rates and rising fuel prices is placing an "unsustainable pressure" on one of the health service's most vulnerable and essential workforces.

The call comes following a response to an Assembly Question, which Forsythe described as deeply disappointing. She argued that the Minister's current stance fails to account for the real-world financial burden placed on workers who are required to use their own vehicles to provide vital care in people's homes across the community. Diane Forsythe MLA said: "The Minister's response to my Assembly Question will be deeply disappointing to domiciliary care workers. These are among the lowest-paid in our health system, yet they carry out vital work in people's homes every day. For years they have been left out of pocket on travel costs, and rising fuel prices have only made that worse."

She expressed concern that the lack of support is directly contributing to the sector's ongoing recruitment and retention challenges. "It is no surprise we face a recruitment and retention crisis if workers feel undervalued and unsupported. They are not asking for special treatment—they are asking to be properly reimbursed for the real costs of doing their job."

The MLA concluded by urging the Minister to demonstrate a greater recognition of the workforce's importance by reviewing the reimbursement framework to ensure that staff are not effectively paying to do their jobs.