NHS Clinical Job Set Days/Flexible Working

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Does anyone have any experience of having your flexible working agreement challenged in the NHS despite childcare needs?
My place of work is currently reviewing all flexible working agreements to ensure they “meet the demands of the service”. I returned from maternity leave two years ago and since then have worked 2 set days a week. I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and so will go on maternity leave again around July-Aug and return after 12-13 months. My manager is now saying they might not allow me to return on set days after maternity leave which has left me so upset and worried. I have worked there for 10 years, I was fully flexible before having children and wish they could just accommodate better for the years I have young children. Without fixed days I will have to leave the job I love as nursery don’t offer flexible childcare and I’m yet to find anywhere local that does. I’ll have one child to drop off at before school club and one child to drop at nursery, both of which open at 07:30 and I need to start work at 08:00.
My partner works full time on a rolling rota or both day shifts and nights, including weekends and nights and our family all work so unable to help. Can my manager really make me have to quit my job if I can’t have set days? Please try and reassure a very worried pregnant lady 🙁

Are you ward based?

Does the flexibility for you impact on flexibility for others?
Would you have more flexibility in a community based role?

I appreciate I'm privileged but I have complete autonomy to book appointments when it suits me and my patients. There is give and take though so some days I have 6pm home visits which makes for long days but I can generally work around appointments for my children etc.

@FredbassetOTi already work in the community :(

Try not to worry. At best this isn’t actually going to be an issue until you return to work. Thats almost 18 months away and lot can change in that time. It’s also not guaranteed that any changes will happen.

It is important to talk to your partner. Shift worker or not he also has the right to request flexible working which (as you know) can include set shifts. He might not be keen to do this. Many men aren’t because they see how much it can screw up women’s careers and earnings.

@Happymchappyfaceyes it’s definitely a future problem but how do I relax and enjoy maternity leave knowing I potentially can’t go back to a job I love and then have to find a new job whilst looking after two children.
My partner work a rolling rota pattern where they double up in pairs for each shift with the same person, I’m really unsure how fixed days would work for him but it’s worth a shot.

Are there no women who do his job? Men often act like it’s impossible for them to change work at all post kids but they often haven’t even asked.

@GoldenCupsatHarvestTimehe is a railway technician and it’s entirely men