Anyone knowledgable about NHS maternity policy and not returning to work?

[Mamasmilkbrewery]

If I don’t return to work will I have to pay back the maternity leave pay?
if I want to terminate my contract how much time is required to work so I don’t have to pay back any maternity pay?
if I can’t have my contract hours reduced or a flexible working plan what else could I do without have to pay back the maternity leave or finding a new position apart of the nhs?

basically I want to resign from my position without having to pay back SMP as it won’t be possible to work in my position / contracted hours due to childcare issues. My ML is due to finish soon and I have chosen to spend accrued leave following its end however once that is completed I don’t know how I am going to meet my weekly hours without childcare.

I’d rather rinse my pump to make sure it’s cleaned correctly as it was very expensive and I wouldn’t want to damage any parts or make issues with its function and it’s very costly to replace

You don’t sound like you want to go back tbh. You’re unwilling compromise and you have a problem for every solution. All you have to do is suck it up for a couple of months.

Your baby will be 12 months so you can pump once a day and get loads and then feed at home, before bed and maybe before you leave in the morning.
My nanny told me to stop expressing at 19 months as he wasn't drinking much but used in porridge etc. So we ended up feeding morning and evening and he stopped at nearly 3 when I was 7 months pregnant, latched on one day and said the milk was finished.
My second breastfed until 2.5 and I was gone for 13 hours. My third breastfed until 2. You've already established breastfeeding, your supply is not going to dip overnight. What breast pump are you using? I've used Medela swing, Ardo calypso and Lola and Lykke pumps. I put them in the fridge at work between use.
Try not to stress too much, it is daunting going back to work. It will be fine.

And yes you will need to pump twice for the first couple of weeks to prevent engorging.

How do I sound like I’m unwilling to compromise because I want to clean my expensive equipment? And look out for my own physical health? To make the most of my child’s baby years by working less? That is all really…

That’s so kind of you to say…..and to presume I work in a clinical role or area? You seem like you’ve got a chip on your shoulder.

I just want to say thankyou so much for your advice, honest opinion and support! You’ve been so positive and helpful and not once called me a difficult person in anyway!

to answer your question regard breast pumps I’ve used medela swing, the manual medela pump, the momcosy m5 & s12 pro, I’ve use the hospital ones of course, I’ve used most silicone pumps and I’ve used the Elvie stride which is my favourite!

it is daunting going back to work I have a very stressful job me and the team are the backbone to supporting other staff members in their clinical roles and I feel like I’m a new starter like I’ve forgotten everything ha nevermind pumping whilst at work or managing my chronic illnesses… before I went on mat leave the work environment wasn’t very positive it definatley dipped but I’m hoping I return to a more positive and supporting environment!

thanks again!

Why is it such an issue that I want to make sure I am looking after my health in all aspects and also the equipment I’ve purchased? Other than that it’s just a case of choosing the right FWP that work with myself and the NHS to complete the work required - childcare is expensive not to mention the cost of living and I’m not loaded.

UPDATE -

Ive spoken with HR who advised me on policy’s clearly which we have put in place after ML end I would take my accrued annual leave before putting in place a FWP therefore I will not have to resign from my post!

• The milk can be stored in a regular fridge within a ice pack bag
• My pumping equipment can be rinsed as this can be facilitated in a specific area and does not affect any clinical area / cross contamination
• there Is the option to use facilitated areas to express otherwise this can be done in the building where work is done in one the rooms.

thanks to those who showed support and good advice and was a positive influence! Greatly appreciated!

There’s no limit to the amount of FWP so if one wasn’t agreeable then the other one might be. Came from HR