Trust welcomes changes to national bereavement leave policy
Bosses at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s (BWC) NHS Foundation Trust have welcomed a government announcement ensuring families who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks are entitled to protected bereavement leave.
New amendments to the Employment Rights Bill will give those experiencing the heartbreaking loss, the legal right to take time off work to grieve, giving them much needed time to access support at a difficult time.
The national change, which is likely to come into force in 2027, follows the launch of the Trust’s own pioneering policy introduced four years ago which enables 10 days of paid leave for mothers and five days paid leave for their partner.
The Trust’s policy, which was the first of its kind in the NHS in 2021, was cited as key evidence in a detailed presentation to the Women and Equalities Committee in January and has helped to inform this national change.
The NHS adopted this important, policy for all of its 1.6 million employees in March 2024.
HR leads, trade unions, NHS England, The Miscarriage Association, Tommy’s Charity and the University of Birmingham have all worked together over the last few years to support organisations in introducing more support for employees.
Raffaela Goodby, Chief People Officer at BWC, said: “This is a proud moment for everyone at BWC and for our partners, having been a pioneer of this change four years ago. We have worked closely with government officials to highlight how this recognition of early pregnancy loss shows love and compassion to those experiencing such a heartbreaking time in their lives. By using the voices of our staff and their experiences, we have shown others how to really support parents in their time of need.
“I want to thank all those involved in helping to bring about this groundbreaking change, including our trade unions and every colleague who signed petitions or wrote to their MP in support of the amendments.”
BWC’s package of support for staff includes periods of paid leave for those who experience pregnancy loss through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or termination or have a child that is born prematurely.
In addition to this, staff are also offered paid time off for appointments linked to the pregnancy loss and have a promise that all requests to work flexibly following a bereavement are treated with understanding and sensitivity. The policy also offers paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment.
(Pictured above is Woodland House, where families receive bereavement support following the loss of a baby.)