Nhs workers help! Maternity leave entitlement!

[NHSnurse]

Hi everyone
I'm just looking for some advice
I've been working for nhs for nearly 8 years. I'm currently going through the recruitment process to change trusts (been at my current trust for one year).
I want to start ttc asap. If I'm pregnant before I start at new trust, or around the time I start will I still get full maternity pay that I would have if I hadn't changed trusts. I'm confused over it all!
Trying to work out if it's worth waiting to ttc until I'm a few months into my new job.
Will be grateful for any advice!

[noodleaddict]

I think it will depend on the maternity policy of the trust you join. My last trust didn't distinguish between the trust or another NHS trust in terms of maternity benefit unless you had been less than a year in the NHS. So you wouldn't have had a problem even if you'd recently joined the trust. If it's not an option to ask about maternity at an interview, maybe worth speaking to your current hr department? They might be able to offer some advice.

[noodleaddict]

Sorry just noticed that you're already in the recruitment process! In that case maybe ask your new hr? Have you handed in your notice at old job yet?

[BumWad]

If the other place is NHS your maternity leave allowance etc will be the same

[NHSnurse]

Thanks for the replies!
I was confused with the SMP side of things because it says about so many weeks continuous employment with one employer. Wasn't sure if this meant the trust or the nhs as my employer!
I thought perhaps I would be entitled to same pay etc but just wanted to see if anybody else has any different experiences?
Didn't want to check with HR just yet until I have my start date. Still waiting for one of my references so haven't handed my notice in yet.

[FormerlyFrikadela01]

As far as I'm aware the maternity policy is NHS wide if you are employed under agenda for change t&cs. I only had 5 months in my current trust when i got the qualifying period for maternity pay yet still got the full whack because i had more than a year continuous service within the NHS as a whole.

[SlB09]

Its NHS continuous service so as,longas moving to nhs you will have same entitlement x

[Tobuyornot99]

I changed trusts and got pregnant 3 months later, and got full SMP and OMP.

[welshweasel]

This happened to me. I started in a new trust when I was 10 weeks pregnant. I got full OMP as that is based on continuous service to the NHS (not trust dependant) but had to claim MA rather than automatically get OMP. It's the same amount so made no difference and was very straightforward to claim.

[ClaraLane]

It's NHS continuous service so provided you've got a year's service you'll be fine, doesn't all have to be in the same hospital.

[welshweasel]

Sorry MA rather than SMP

[Temporaryanonymity]

You should received a contract. it will state in there what your date of continuous service is for the purpose of employment protection. It should be the date that you started with the NHS. This will tell you your entitlement to maternity etc without you needing to call HR.

[NHSnurse]

Thank you everyone!!
It looks like we start trying sooner than I thought then

[noodleaddict]

How exciting...good luck with the ttc! Fingers crossed for you