The new neonatal care bill

Having a baby should be a joyous time. Have a premature or sick baby, who requires hospital care, can make the process incredibly stressful, especially if the employee has to use holiday or favours to facilitate time off to be at their baby’s hospital bedside.

The government has backed a private member’s bill – the neonatal care (leave and pay) bill – which will allow parents up to 12 weeks’ paid leave to spend time with their new baby. This would be in addition to existing maternity and paternity entitlement. Parents would be entitled to neonatal leave from the first day of employment and the right would apply to the parents of babies who are admitted to hospital within the first 4 weeks and who have to stay in hospital continually for 7 full days or more.

The new laws are aimed at supporting parents of sick and premature babies to avoid the situation where parents feel compelled to return to work instead of caring for their new child or are forced to take unpaid leave. Many parents of sick and premature babies spend the first days or weeks of maternity or paternity leave sitting next to an incubator, rather than enjoying unfettered bonding time as a family.

More work must be done before this new law will enter the statute books. The May 2022 Queen’s Speech did not contain anything on this issue, so employers will need to watch this space for updates on these proposed new measures.

For further advice on the proposed neonatal care bill, please contact Oliver Tasker who will be able to advise.