Update to the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023
13 March 2025
From 06 April 2025, there will be an update to the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023.
The changes will include the following:
- Neonatal Care Leave will become a day 1 right for parents or guardians with a baby in neonatal care.
- This protective measure will apply to babies admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who require a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer.
- This will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave as well as any other leave and pay entitlements, such as maternity and paternity leave.
- Employees who meet the threshold for minimum earnings and continuity of service will also be entitled to Statutory Neonatal Care Pay.
This measure will allow working families to be supported during their time of crisis and allow them to focus on supporting their baby during their neonatal stay in hospital, rather than worrying about work, pay or returning too soon whilst their baby is ill.
This update has been brought in alongside the amendments to the Employment Rights Act as a commitment by the government to support working families as part of their Plan for Change.
To prepare for the upcoming changes, we advise that you ensure your policies are up to date regarding Neonatal Care and Leave. For EVH full members this will be included in the April 2025 update to terms and conditions. For further information on the above, please check out this article on the UK Governments website - Parents to receive day one right to neonatal care leave and pay - GOV.UK