Covid and maternity pay NHS

[STCMB]

I work for the NHS and have been off for almost 3 months with long covid symptoms. I'm due to return to work in 2 weeks and have just found out I'm pregnant. Now I'm worried about how my absence will affect my maternity pay and continuous service. Can anyone advise I'm really dreading telling work I'm even pregnant never mind asking about pay after being off TIA

Hey hun,

Another pregnant NHS worker here, at my trust they base your maternity pay on your average earnings between weeks 17 and 24 of your pregnancy, so check the maternity policy.

Xx

Mine said 12 months continuous service to receive maximum mat pay. But I've been off with long covid just unfair if a virus caused by worldwide pandemic affects my pay 🤷‍♀️
If not eligible for that then it's between 17-24 weeks but less money x

The 12 months continuous service is how long you have worked for the trust - you will still accrue entitlement to mat leave whilst off sick. So providing you've been there over 12 months at the cut off date, you'll get full occupational mat pay. The qualifying weeks are to work out what you'd normally earn.

Have you been on paid sick leave, with pension, NI etc paid? I work in a large public sector organisation run on almost identical principles to the NHS. Paid sick leave counts as “service” (as does maternity leave).