23 January 2025The government has confirmed that a day one right to neonatal leave for parents with neonatal babies will be introduced from 6 April this year. This follows the passing of the ‘Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023’.
Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of seven full days or longer. These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave. The leave must be taken in week blocks and must be taken within 68 weeks of the birth of the baby.
Alongside the leave entitlement, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and the minimum earnings threshold.
