Maternity guidance for doctors in training

This factsheet from NHS Employers, provides guidance for doctors in training who need to plan maternity leave. The factsheet includes information on timelines for telling your employer you are pregnant, when to take maternity leave, maternity pay and advice for doctors in training who may be moving between employers. It also includes a helpful flowchart, which gives an indication of actions to take and what to expect when planning maternity leave.

NB: Employers need to be aware of the potential for overpayment in circumstances where a doctor moves on rotation at a late stage of the pregnancy when SMP and NHS maternity pay may be paid by different employers. The two employers involved will need to liaise closely to ensure that total pay is at the correct level.

Maternity issues for doctors in training

Safer changeover of doctors recommended

Extract from NHS Networks

Recommendations for the safe changeover of doctors in training have been published jointly by NHS Employers and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC).

Doctors in training in the UK have historically started new six-monthly rotations in February and August, with the majority of junior doctors rotating to new training programmes during the first week of August.

There is increasing evidence to show that simultaneous changeover is associated with reduced efficiency and increased mortality.

NHS Employers and the AoMRC have outlined four key recommendations to help organisations mitigate these potential problems.