student health visitor maternity leave

[patience12]

hi,
Just wondered if there are any health visitors out there who have found out they are pregnant whilst doing the specialist public health 1yr secondment at university. Are you entitiled to any sort of maternity benefits as I have one years continous service already within NHS so wondered am I entitled to any sort of paid maternity leave ? Also can you defer and pick up the course again post baby ? Any replies and advice greatly appreciated.

[WeAreSix]

I was pregnant as a student midwife (twice!!). The NHS considered me to be employed by them so I had full maternity rights. Not sure if HV is the same but hopefully you'll be reassured :)

[patience12]

Thanks for your reply ! As a student nurse I know some girls went on maternity leave got paid their bursary then returned 6months- 1 year later. I am unsure if its the same for health visiting as it is a 1 year secondment at band 5 salary if anyone knows anyone who was pregnant while doing this I would love to hear from you as I can't find any information anywhere
thanks .

[twinklytoes]

you are an NHS employee so you will follow your trust's maternity policy. This is the policy you follow whether you are in your normal workplace or on secondment.

I believe ours change in the last couple of years where we could claim the enhanced package after one years service (it was two years for all my births).
If it is still two years for the enhanced, then you will still receive SMP.

I supported an employee who found out they were pregnant 3 months before the end of her secondment. She informed me and we completed the risk assessment etc and she also followed the university guidelines as well...another risk assessment which mirrored mine.

If you don't think / have time to finish your secondment year before delivery, then you may need to discuss this asap with the training dept / line manager... as there may be further cost implications via the funding to allow you to complete on your return from maternity leave.

[MrsJamesMartin]

As long as you have continuous NHS service then you should receive the normal maternity leave etc especially as you are seconded as opposed to on a fixed term contract but you will need to clarify with HR.

However, when I trained (2010) one girl got pregnant and had to leave and couldn't just take a break, think it was to do with the need to complete so many hours within the 52 weeks. The course is changing from cohort to cohort at the moment with all the huge changes in health visiting so it may be that uni would not allow you to rejoin another cohort further down the line.

[ItIsTranquil]

I have a fixed term temporary contract as a student health visitor for Sept. I am concerned I might now be pregnant.because it is temporary contract-will I be able to complete the course? have read the above previous posts I am getting worried!!
Also continuos NHS employment....I have that up until now.
any advice please?

[DawnMarie1980]

Hi

I'm in a similar situation myself and wondered if anyone knows if you can start the health visiting course whilst pregnant having been alrasdy accepted and have paid maternity with continuous nhs service and then return after your maternity leave to finish the course?