explained (i hope!) dr andy downs, ltpd, durham & tees valley gp training programme

Explained (I hope!)

Dr Andy Downs, LTPD, Durham & Tees Valley GP training Programme

This is as I understand it Based on information from

◦BMA◦NHS employers.org◦Direct.gov.uk website

Please make sure you check the details on a case by case basis


Maternity Pay comprises two components With DIFFERENT qualifying conditions

1) NHS scheme2) Statutory Maternity Pay

◦If a woman doesn’t qualify for SMP she can claim Maternity Allowance


Qualifying Conditions To be eligible a doctor must have been in continuous NHS service (with one or more employers) for one year at 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, without any break of more than three months.

Entitlement8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks half pay (plus any smp/ma) 13 weeks smp/ma

Ref 4.4 Maternity Leave for NHS Staff


If a doctor meets the requirement for the NHS scheme, they do not necessarily meet the requirements for SMP and may need to claim maternity allowance.


Qualifying ConditionsTo be eligible a doctor must have worked for

their current employer for 26 weeks at the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth.

With respect to SMP the NHS does not count as a single employer


If the doctor does not qualify for SMP – you should complete a SMP1 form stating that fact

This allows her to claim maternity allowance through the job centre


• A maternity calculator which helps with dates etc. BMA member onlyhttp://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcontracts/leave/maternity_advice/thinking_having_baby/mlentitlement.jsp

• National changes in Maternity Leave / Pay http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/index.htm

• European Directive on Maternity Leave http://www.nhsemployers.org/EmploymentPolicyAndPractice/European_employment_policy/Pages/Proposed-Changes-To-Maternity-Leave.aspx

• NHS Guidance for Maternity and Doctors in Training http://www.nhsemployers.org/Aboutus/Publications/Pages/MaternityIssuesForDoctorsInTraining.aspx


explained (i hope!) dr andy downs, ltpd, durham & tees valley gp training programme

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