NHS Mat leave-I'm in a mess

[badfurday]

Help please, I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I have worked for the NHS for 15 years, and recently moved trusts( started with new Trust last Monday) on Wednesday I found out I was pregnant, a massive shock and one I'm still trying to get my head around.
I'm now sitting here worried sick I'm not entitled to mat leave pay. From what I can gather, I'll only get 8 weeks full pay and 18 weeks half? I'm sure with my first it was topped up with SMP. But looking at my new trusts policy, it says I wouldn't be entitled to that as I haven't been at the trust long enough. I'm hormonal, and confused. Can anyone advise?

TIA.

You'll need to apply for maternity allowance if you don't get it paid from work. Don't panic!!
It's a pain but it's a form and some documents as proof and you'll get all the money but separately.

DD is nearly 3 so I can't quite remember but I moved trusts at the wrong time and it was all fine.

Oh phew. So stupid question, do I get 18 weeks half pay plus MA? It's been a long time since my first and I really thought we were done with children. This is all such a shock! 😱

If you qualify for extra pay youll qualify for SMP through your employer. Its all or nothing.

Yes the 18 weeks is what you get from the nhs and instead of them sorting smp for you, you claim MA instead.

When I got it, I asked for the MA to be paid fortnightly which worked well for me.

Ok. Feeling a bit more positive. Thanks all for the replies.
So if I go to 18 weeks half pay, and MA, I'll get £140ish a week plus half my salary?

I’m almost certain that you will qualify as you have ‘continuing NHS service’.
Speak to your HR about this and they will clarify but in my role I moved NHS organisations and all benefits are transferred so was entitled to full maternity pay.

Yes it's the same as smp just a different way of getting it.

I think I got the forms from work, I got them easily anyway. Speak to HR about it or there is info on the gov site. I was in a panic too because nhs maternity pay is good and I thought I was about to miss out but it was fine.

Thank you all so much for your replies. just can't believe the timing of all of this.

Firstly- congratulations, secondly- deep breath!, and thirdly- you'll be covered under continuous service so entitled to full mat pay. (I moved health boards (our version of trusts in Wales) about 8 weeks before finding out I was pregnant and then got a new job in another health board mid-mat leave to start after my year was up and my service just transferred over so I've had full OMP). 😊 All will be well! Xx

I'd agree with the 'continuous service' should have you covered. Our trust had a maternity leave advisor, see if you have something similar. She was great at telling you what you could or couldn't have.

I thought maternity pay was calculated on continuous NHS service. I didn't think it mattered what trust you worked for.

It is continuous service one massive advantage of working for the NHS whilst being able to be employed by different organisations.

Continuous service gets you the 18 weeks half pay which the OP is getting. SMP has a cut off date which the OP may have missed but because she was employed previously she will be entitled to MA which is the same.

Has long as there wasn’t a break in service (even a day) between the 2 trusts then you are covered with continuous service

No, there are lots of situations where a break of service is allowed and continuous service is awarded for OMP.

Andwhat isn't correct as far as I'm aware- in the last 10 years I've worked across 4 trusts in England and 4 health boards in Wales and all had a 3 month allowance between one post ending and another beginning for you to claim all rights under continuous service. In fact I've had 2 months between posts now and am still getting my 10 years service in a few months and haven't had to pay back OMP.

So as long as it is continuous - I left my old job the Friday and started the new in on the Monday, I'm ok?!

I stand corrected, I had this situation with my first and was so worried and was advised I was only entitled due to finishing on a Friday and starting the new trust on the Monday.