NHS Scotland maternity policy

caevans

Hi everyone
I am currently on maternity leave from my job in NHS Fife. My questions are:
a) I know I have to do 3 months work or I have to pay back maternity pay, but If I get a job in NHS Lothian rather than going back to Fife would that be okay?
b) we are considering trying for another baby next year so; if I get a new job in NHS Lothian, does my previous work in NHS Fife mean that I would be entitled to full maternity pay? Or does it have to be 1 full year in NHS Lothian?
That sounds a bit confusing, so hopefully people will understand and help! I have googled maternity policy NHS Scotland but don't seem to be getting anywhere fast. I am not keen to go back to NHS Fife, but don't want to have to pay back all the maternity pay. I also don't want to feel trapped in NHS Fife if we do decide to try for another baby......
thanks!
C

MX5huggy

In NHS Wales it does not matter which NHS trusts you have worked for across the whole of the UK to work out your entitlement.

I would get hold of a copy of both trusts Maternity/parents policies and have a read

caevans

Thanks, I have just found a document that says:

You must have been employed for a minimum period of 26 weeks with NHS Fife at
the beginning of the 14th week before the expected week that your baby is due to
qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. Part weeks count as full weeks. Any other NHS
employment within the 26 week period prior to joining NHS Fife does not

count for the purposes of SMP
So I take it this means I would need to work somewhere (i.e. NHS Lothian, if they have same policy) for a couple of months before trying for a baby to ensure I would be entitled to SMP and that my previous work experience In NHS Fife would not count towards SMP in new employment in say NHS Lothian? All very confusing and worded in a way I struggle to understand!!!!!

MX5huggy

But you want to receive more than SMP!

The policy I have has that quote almost exactly to get SMP. But with my trust instead of fife

Then its says "At Least 12 months service with the NHS at the beginning of the 11th week before the expected week of child birth" entitlement = 8 weeks full pay then 18 weeks half pay +SMP then 13 weeks SMP

This is for babies due after April 07!

hermanmunster_3

I changed trusts in England while pregnant and ultimately returned to another after the mat leave.
The trust I was working for when I started the leave paid all the maternity pay and had to make up the difference in the SMP as I had moved. I didn't lose out, they weren't happy - might have been more friendly if they had considered my request for part time work.

caevans

hi
Yes, it looks like I will be entitled to maternity pay from NHS as it is not specific to a trust I don't think. I have 4 years in NHS Fife so that would entitle me to maternity pay if I moved to NHS Lothian (I think). Well thats the way I read it as it doesn't specificially mention the trust? So I think its just the SMP that I need to be concerned about.?
Thanks
C