Pregnant NHS staff/Covid

[unknownscot]

I'm 7+5 weeks pregnant and really worried that the guidance has changed and admin/wfh is not recommended from 28 weeks now.
I'm working with both non-Covid and Covid patients

X

Are you fully vaccinated now OP?
The outcomes for pregnant ladies who catch covid and are fully vaccinated is very reassuring.
But you should still have a risk assessment with your line manager once you share with them the news about your pregnancy.

I had a risk assessment and went onto admin from 17 weeks despite being double jabbed

I work in a school, not for the NHS, but I am 30 weeks now and went off to WFH as of last week. I had asked about WFH earlier which was initially refused, so I asked to be medically suspended on paid leave. They came back to this saying that it wasn’t really in their best interest to do this so agreed to me WFH instead. My request was based on guidance from my union and from my midwife that it would be much safer to be at home than in work. I don’t know how it works for NHS staff - are you in a union?

@SouthwestSis
Yes, double vaccinated.

The guidance still states pregnancy as higher risk from 28 week so just worried about working after then. It only changed recently in our department I think.

@Noodlebrain12
Thank you.

I'm with a union and have reached out to them but not heard anything yet.

I am a high risk pregnancy, but being only 7 weeks I've yet to have a booking appointment. I'm hoping my midwife can advise more then but wanted to hear from others that are perhaps in a similar situation

Following with interest!
I'm in exactly the same position!

Once you have officially informed work they will need to do a risk assessment which is updated at least every trimester to reflect current guidance. I am a midwife who is also 28 weeks pregnant, I have chosen to continue to work clinically with the backing of occupational health and my line managers but this has been very much my choice and I would have been supported should I have chosen to work non patient facing. Hope that helps. Good luck with your pregnancy

I work in a community setting NHS and have been told I'll be desk based from 28 weeks, no face to face contact with patients. I'm waiting to hear am I allowed in to the office at all. Have heard of other people in our trust being told they didn't have a choice in the matter. I'm 15 weeks

I’d speak to HR about doing a risk assessment ASAP.

I've had a risk assessment.

But to be honest I found it pointless, there wasn't much about Covid in it. I think I'm correct in saying RAs are written by management.

I certainly don't feel supported if I was to choose a non facing role.

Is there anywhere online that states current guidance for pregnant nhs workers in regards to Covid?

I cant find anything

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/#occupational

Also the website pregnant and screwed is very helpful

I am double vaccinated nurse and our policy is that if you have had both jabbed you do not get WFH or medical leave unfortunately. I am patient facing in paeds so unlikely to meet patients unwell with covid but could be exposed to asymptomatic positive patients/parents.

I'm clinical and have had both vaccine doses plus the booster, and the guidance I've been given suggests management are happy for me to remain clinical/patient-facing until I go on mat leave. However, I know people whose risk assessments have over-ruled that general guidance, so I think you can make a case for a more individual approach if you prefer.

It seems to vary hugely from trust to trust. I was offered home working from 28 weeks. I didn't ask for it. I'm a specialist nurse so could have been office based on site if they had wanted to. I know of others who have remained patient facing in much higher risk roles than mine in other trusts.

I'm triple jabbed and have just gone on Mat leave. It was my decision if I stayed clinical or not. Some people did some people didnt. I think it will stay like that

@amicrazy36

I worked patient facing when I was pregnant, until I was 30 weeks. My baby was born at the beginning of April so I was not vaccinated at all.
Due to vaccinations the outlook for pregnant women is much better. There are other illnesses you may be exposed to that hold higher risk.
I would speak to your midwife and also your management team about your concerns.
Also just remember by the time you are 28 weeks, the weather will be much warmer and hopefully cases will be much lower.