NHS Maternity Pay

All NHS employees are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave whether a full time or part time employee. Your employer will automatically assume you are going to take your full entitlement unless you inform them otherwise.

Your maternity leave can start on or after the 11th week before your child is due. You will need to inform your manager when you want to commence maternity leave

You will be entitled to Occupational NHS Maternity Pay  as long as you meet certain criteria:-

  • You have 12 months continuous NHS employment with the NHS Authority until the 11th week before the expected week of your child’s birth.
  • You have notified the NHS Authority at least 15 weeks before the birth of your child that you intend to take maternity leave and your intention to return
  • Provide a signed Mat B1 form from your doctor or midwife at least 28 days before going on maternity leave.

You will need to notify your manager in writing to confirm

    1. You are pregnant
    2. Which week the child is due
    3. When you would like to take your maternity leave
    4. If you intend to return to work or not

Most NHS Authorities have standard forms which you can complete which cover these details. Your Manager will have a copy if not you can contact your Human resource team they will be able to assist you. This information needs to be given to your manager at least 28 days prior to you taking maternity leave.

             

NHS Maternity Pay

If you qualify for full benefits and intend returning to work for the employing NHS Authority your 52 weeks leave will be broken down as:

  • 8 weeks at full pay
  • 18 weeks at half pay + basic Statutory Maternity Pay on the understanding that the received payment will be adjusted to not exceed full pay.
  • 13 weeks + Basic SMP if due
  • 13 weeks unpaid leave

If you qualify for full benefits but do NOT intend to return to work your 52 weeks will be broken down as:

  • 6 weeks pay at 90% of full pay
  • 33 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings
  • 13 weeks unpaid leave

Your contract will be terminated after the 39 week of your maternity leave

If you do not qualify for SMP your 52 weeks leave entitlement may be partially covered by Maternity Allowance as long as you have made at least 26 weeks National Insurance contributions in the last 66 weeks prior to the expected birth of your child.

NHS Maternity Pay Entitlement Calculations

 

This will be calculated on average earnings paid for two months prior to the qualifying period which is the 15th week before the expected week of your child’s birth.

 
NHS Pay Awards, Annual Increments and Maternity

All Increments and Pay awards due will be awarded during your maternity leave and your maternity pay recalculated accordingly.

 

Income Tax, National Insurance and Pension Contributions and NHS Maternity

 

These will be deducted and paid as normal.

 

How will NHS Maternity pay be paid?

Although you will be paid monthly, calculations for your maternity pay are made on a weekly basis and can differ each month. Your payments will be made into your normal banking or building society account. If you have any problems or are confused with the payments you should contact your salaries and wages department.

NHS and Regular Car User Allowance

 

If you are in a post where your car is an essential part of your role and you receive regular payments from the NHS Authority. This payment should be paid for the remainder of the month it is out of use and then for three months after. The reduced 50% rate is usually paid thereafter until the end of maternity leave.

Remaining in contact with the NHS authority whilst on Maternity Leave

Your manager will discuss with you prior to maternity leave commencing how you can remain in touch with your colleagues re changes, updates and social events. You may decide that you would like to receive regular updates from one of your colleagues or a departmental email update, which informs you of all the changes in practice , seminars or departmental reorganisations. This will enable you to keep up to date with the latest developments within your area of expertise.

KIT Days – Keeping in Touch

You may work up to 10 KIT days in your NHS Authority during your maternity leave; this work will not mean that you loose any maternity benefits. These days can be training days, study days or for appraisals. Your pay will be on the same rate of pay which you normally receive.

 
Still births, Miscarriages and Maternity Rights

Both these situations are understandably devastating and the NHS Authority is normally both supportive and accommodating.

 

The definition of a stillbirth states that a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy means the mother will be entitled to full maternity rights.

A Miscarriage if it occurs before the 24th week of pregnancy means that leave taken will be covered by sickness benefit.

NHS Annual leave and Maternity

During your maternity leave both paid and unpaid you will accrue annual leave. You will be encouraged to take your annual leave where possible prior to commencing maternity leave. You will need to check if you are able to carry over accrued annual leave most NHS authorities only allow a certain amount of leave to be carried from one leave to the next. Usually no more that 14 days.

Returning to Work After the birth of your child

By law you will have to take 2 weeks compulsory leave after the birth of your child. It is assumed you will take the full entitlement of OML and AML of 52 weeks. If you wish to return prior to that date you must inform your manager giving them 8 weeks notice.

 

NHS and Breast Feeding Mothers

The Health and Safety Executive makes recommendations for mothers who are returning to the work place and who are still breast feeding.

The recommendations suggest that:

  • Flexible working hours should be seriously considered to support breast feeding mothers
  • Suitable, private and appropriate facilities should be provided – not the ladies toilet facilities!
  • The environment should be clean and safe and refrigerated storage for expressed milk should be provided


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