Home   Medway   News   Article

Medway Maritime Hospital to support staff with premature babies with The Smallest Things charter

Health bosses at Medway Maritime Hospital are the first in the country to offer extra time off for staff whose babies are born prematurely.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust which runs the Gillingham-based hospital, is the first in the UK to sign up to The Smallest Things employer with heart charter, pledging its commitment to support the needs of premature babies and their families.

Current NHS terms and conditions afford new mums whose baby has been born prematurely to split their maternity leave, allowing them to take two weeks leave immediately after childbirth, and the rest following their baby’s discharge from hospital.

KMG GROUP USE ONLYConditions of Use: MUST CREDIT iStockphotoSlug: ANONBABY TN 080317Caption: A stock image of an anonymous baby.Location: MaidstoneCategory: Crime & VandalismByline: GettyContact Name: GettyContact Email: Contact Phone: 0800 376 7981 Uploaded By: Lowri STAFFORDCopyright: GettyOriginal Caption:Cute little newborn baby boy lying on bed, sleeping, close up of his hand with little fingers FM4700961 (3695379)
KMG GROUP USE ONLYConditions of Use: MUST CREDIT iStockphotoSlug: ANONBABY TN 080317Caption: A stock image of an anonymous baby.Location: MaidstoneCategory: Crime & VandalismByline: GettyContact Name: GettyContact Email: Contact Phone: 0800 376 7981 Uploaded By: Lowri STAFFORDCopyright: GettyOriginal Caption:Cute little newborn baby boy lying on bed, sleeping, close up of his hand with little fingers FM4700961 (3695379)

One in eight babies are born prematurely and subsequently parents have a reduced time to bond with their baby with the period from birth, to discharge for babies born prematurely typically being several weeks, or even months.

The trust has therefore taken the step to support new mums in this intervening period by committing to ensure they receive their normal pay up until the point their normal maternity pay commences.

Deputy chief executive and executive director of human resources and organisational development James Devine, said: “We are proud to have become the first NHS trust in the country to sign up to the employer with heart charter.

“Our staff work tirelessly every day to look after our patients and we want to ensure that they also receive the support that they need when they have difficulty in their own personal lives.

James Devine (3713220)
James Devine (3713220)

"We know that this will affect only a small number of our staff each year, but it is so important that we care for those who are caring for others.

“We understand that it can be an extremely difficult and worrying time for those who experience premature labour and the last thing we want is for our hard working staff to feel they have to worry about work or whether they can afford to take time off to be with their baby."

The trust is backing the charity, The Smallest Things, which campaigns for extended maternity and paternity leave for parents of premature babies.

Founder of The Smallest Things, Catriona Ogilvy added: "We are delighted that Medway NHS Foundation Trust has signed up to our employer with heart charter and will give parents of babies born prematurely the extra time they need.

"Visiting a fragile baby on a neonatal unit for weeks, sometimes months, is terrifying and shouldn’t be counted as maternity or paternity leave.

"This extra time will give parents more chance to bond with their babies, take care of them at home for longer and recover from the trauma themselves.”

To find out more about the charity, visit www.thesmallestthings.org

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More