This page has information on:

  • Maternity and Adoption

  • Childcare

  • Menopause, Breastfeeding and Maternity Leave Policies

Maternity and Adoption Information 

British Medical Association 

https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/maternity-paternity-and-adoption/your-rights/maternity-leave-for-gps 

https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/maternity-paternity-and-adoption/your-rights/a-guide-for-gps-maternity-and-other-types-of-parental-leave/finances 

Royal College of General Practitioners 

https://www.rcgp.org.uk/about/equality-diversity/pregnancy-maternity 

Health Education England 

https://gp-training.hee.nhs.uk/portsmouth/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2022/03/GP-Maternity-Leave-Factsheet-updated-Oct-2020.pdf 

Postponing Appraisal Form 

https://www.england.nhs.uk/south-east/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2019/01/Blank-Application_Form_-_Postponement_of_an_Appraisal.docx#:~:text=Postponement%20applications%20should%20be%20submitted,of%20their%20appraisal%20to%20the 

KIT (Keep in Touch) Days 

https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/maternity-paternity-and-adoption/return-to-work/returning-to-work-and-your-rights-as-a-working-parent 

KIT days are optional for you to take. Liaise with your employer to determine how many you may be entitled to and when they could be scheduled in, ideally prior to going on leave. Useful work to do on a KIT day could be mandatory training that may have been missed, attend team meetings or check the ICB page for courses that you may wish to do as a refresher during this time.  

Childcare Information

Breastfeeding policy and support 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-and-lifestyle/back-to-work/ 

Childcare placements 

Shropshire has many different options for nurseries and childminders. These can get booked up very quickly and so it is best to try and reserve a place as early as possible.  

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/early-years-and-childcare/parents-and-carers/childcare-options/nurseries-pre-schools-and-playgroups/ 

Childcare Finances 

The government currently contribute to financing childcare costs. The legislation has recently changed so research the latest guidance on the gov.uk website.  

There are options initially for free childcare hours for those entitled. But also tax free childcare payments can be used for after school clubs and other childcare settings. 

You will need to register for this through the following website: https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account 

A useful website for calculating the tax free amount is: https://taxfreechildcarecalculator.com/ 

Child Benefit 

Child benefit can be claimed, but if you are earning above the threshold then you may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge. You can sign your child up for benefits but then opt out of claiming. Read the website carefully for the income threshold information that will affect payments. 

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-charge 

Menopause, Breastfeeding and Maternity Leave Policies

Maternity Policy Checklist 

  • Have a clear, accessible policy available to all staff 
  • Include in your policy shared parental leave as an option for staff  
  • Carry out a risk assessment as soon as you are informed about the pregnancy 
  • Ensure that your Contract of Employment includes pregnancy related sickness absence  
  • Partners have the right to attend 2 ante natal appointments per pregnancy 
  • Discuss entitlement to OML, AML and SMP 
  • Be aware of leave entitlements for pre term birth, still birth, miscarriage or neonatal death 
  • Discuss whether the individual would like to remain in contact whilst on maternity leave and to what level  
  • Discuss how the employee would like to spend their KIT days 
  • Have a policy in place for employees if they become pregnant whilst on maternity leave 

Breastfeeding Policy Checklist 

  • Display the Breastfeeding Welcome poster in your public areas 
  • Include the policy in inductions for new staff in order to foster a positive attitude towards breastfeeding 
  • Inform all pregnant employees of the policy 
  • Perform a risk assessment in relation to all employees who plan to continue breastfeeding after their maternity leave 
  • Nominate a member of management who will be responsible for performing the risk assessment and should be given written notice of the employees intention to continue breastfeeding or expressing milk on their return to work after maternity leave 
  • Make a private, comfortable and appropriate equipped room for breastfeeding employees to feed their baby or express their milk 
  • Review reasonable adjustments that could be made to accommodate breastfeeding employees 
  • Provide a secure, clean fridge to store expressed breast milk 

Menopause Policy Checklist (tbc)

Menopause video resources