NHS England has announced an innovative policy granting its staff paid leave following a miscarriage. This new guideline, which extends nationwide, affords women up to 10 days of leave if they experience a miscarriage within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, while partners are entitled to five days. The initiative, inspired by practices at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, aims to offer significant support during these difficult times.

This decision recognizes the gap in current UK worker rights, where there is no legal mandate for maternity or parental-bereavement leave before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Private sector companies, including Tesco, Lidl, John Lewis, and Santander, have adopted similar supportive measures for their employees prior to this announcement.

The comprehensive policy from NHS England covers paid leave, time off for related medical appointments and interventions, and a return to work supported by specialist services from the NHS trust or baby-loss charities. This move has been lauded by Women’s Health Strategy Minister Maria Caulfield and Kath Abrahams from the charity Tommy’s, acknowledging the importance of support during such challenging times.

With the awareness that one in four pregnancies in the UK ends in miscarriage, this policy addresses a critical need for compassion and support within the NHS, hopeful that this initiative will prompt other sectors to follow suit. Doctors and health ministers have underscored the importance of treating staff with care and compassion, linking such support to improved staff retention rates, as evidenced by a trial at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust.

This policy not only shines a light on the often overlooked issue of miscarriage but also sets a precedent for workplace support, reflecting a broader commitment to enhancing women’s health and the well-being of healthcare professionals in the UK.