There was an announcement today (January 20th) that the Neonatal Care bill will come into effect as of 6th of April this year! Hurray! What does this mean for neonatal parents? Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer. This will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave (and, if eligible, pay) on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.
Founder of The Smallest Things charity, Catriona Ogilvy, said:
‘The Smallest Things is delighted to see Neonatal Leave and Pay move one step closer to being available to thousands of parents whose babies are born sick or premature. The stress and trauma experienced by families during a neonatal stay cannot be underestimated. In an instant, their world is turned upside down. No parent or carer should be sitting beside an incubator worrying about pay or work. ‘We would like to express our huge, heartfelt thanks to all those who campaigned to get this bill over the line!
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