Maternity exemption form and MAT-B form query, can GP provide?

[SRK16]

I haven’t yet recieved my maternity exemption form and don’t have another midwife appointment for a few weeks. Does anyone know if you can usually get this from your GP?
For various reasons I may not be having my NHS anomaly scan where I was told I could collect my MATB form afterwards. I was told I need to be seen in person to get it? It’s some weeks before I’ll see my midwife after this and my work’s HR are painfully slow so want to get it to them ASAP. Again, is this something my GP surgery can provide?

I'm 25 weeks and have only just heard of the MatB1 form! Apparently I can get a copy from my GP as it's needed to confirm my maternity leave and pay. Just ring the surgery and ask for it. As everything is in your notes (presumably you've seen somebody at the surgery?), any doctor at the practice should be able to sign the form for you.

Midwife told me I can only get one after my 20 week scan

My midwife told me I could only get this after 20 weeks but she was wrong and I think she thought I was talking about MatB1 form. I'm miffed that I had to pay for the dentist when I didn't actually need to...

Anyway you just need to get a form from reception. Fill it out and hand back, they get a midwife to sign and send it off for you. Certificate comes in the post.

^sorry exemption form that is.

They normally do MatB1 at 20 week scan. But would have thought if you weren't having that you should have a midwife appointment instead to check things are still ok. The only reason you have a gap between scan and midwife is because you've already been checked out at the scan but if you're not then they should see you.

I think it probably depends on where u are. I got my exemption certificate in the post soon after my booking appointment. However I wont get my MatB1 from till my 24 week midwife appointment.

This is 2nd DC and I was under a different trust for my first. If I remember correctly I got my MatB1 from earlier last time- think at my 16 week midwife appointment. And we only moved 10 mins up the road lol.

So really think it does depend on your trust.

I got my exemption form at my booking in appointment, although I'm technically still covered by my last one

I’m 28 weeks and still haven’t been given my MATB1 form. This is my second pregnancy and I can’t remember when I got it last time. The exemption form you can get early on. I picked it up from the receptionist at my GP.

Sorry to jump kn this thread but I have a similar query. I know I'll get my MatB1 at my next appointment when I'm 22 weeks as that was discussed but I have a query re exemption cert.
At my booking in appt my midwife was talking to me about dental exemption and had a little form thing which I assumed I'd take away. She packed everything in my book and when I got home, it wasnt there so I thought it had been left behind.
I mentioned it at my last appointment and she said I wouldnt have taken it away, she sends it away and it comes to me in the post. It's been 3 months so thought I'd have had it by now but she said it might still be in the system.
I do however have a prescription exemption cert which came in the post, could this be the same thing?
I'm in Scotland where prescriptions are free anyway so I thought it was a strange thing to receive, now wondering if it covers everything though?
If anyone knows please share, failing that I'll ask at my next appt. Thanks x

@TerriB1984 I would recommend getting in contact with your midwife ASAP for the MatB1 form. You need to officially let your works HR team know 15 weeks before birth ie at 25 weeks.

Thanks everyone, this is helpful

@angelix it is indeed one and the same- your maternal exemption card covers both prescriptions (in places you pay for them) and dental care.

Thanks @dustydoorframes that's really useful to know!

I got mine at 20 weeks from midwife as wanted to start leave at 29!weeks

GP surgery usually has them.

You an ask your GP receptionist for the exemption form, fill it out, hand it back and they stamp and send it off.
The matb1 is usually after your 20w scan, either at the scan unit or from your midwife at 24w appointment. As longboard as you have told work about the pregnancy before 25w you can give the matb1 a little later usually.
(Doctor)

You don't need the mat b1 15 weeks before - you just need to tell work. The mat b1 is technically not needed until 28 days before you go off I believe. They routinely give them 12 weeks before edd here. So no way of handing it in 15 weeks before!

I wouldn't have got a MATB1 form unless I asked for it, I ended up ordering one at the GP.