NHS maternity pay and role change

[nhsmatleave]

Hi all, just trying to get my head round NHS mat leave and potentially changing jobs mid pregnancy.

I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant, band 5 nurse on AfC, been full time with my trust for over 12 months. Recently interviewed to a full time band 6 with a different trust and quite keen on taking the job for new opportunities and of course a higher wage. If I were to accept, I reckon I wouldn't begin until almost 7 months gone with notice periods and HR. The new band 6 job also doesn't yet know I'm pregnant, as was waiting for formal offer to disclose.

A few questions:
At my current position, I'm eligible for both SMP and OMP, is that right? But if I change trusts, I am only eligible for SMP? Is there a way of finding out whether a trust has a different mat leave policy, or are they all the same under the NHS?
If I were to begin a new band 6 at 7 months gone, the higher salary wouldn't be considered in my mat leave, as it's calculated on the salary between 12-16 weeks, is that right?

TIA xx

I'm pretty sure your maternity pay will be calculated on what you earn between weeks 17 - 25 rather than 12-16. Weeks 17 -25 is when your eligibility for SMP is also calculated.

I was always under the impression that NHS mat pay for OMP purposes was calculated on continuous service for the NHS and it didn't matter which trust it was with as long as it was continuous.

That's how it works in local government anyway?

Thank you, this would be great if I can have both SMP and OMP, even if at my lower band salary.

Anyone else??

As long as you have no break in service then you're entitled to full maternity pay even if you change trusts.