We are pleased that the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) has today (20 January) confirmed that the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act will come into effect from 6 April this year.
The new Neonatal Care Leave entitlement comes as a result of successful campaigning led by Bliss to improve the employment rights of parents with a baby born sick or premature, many of whom would previously have faced the difficult decision of returning to work while their baby received vital treatment in hospital.
Under this legislation, which received Royal Assent in May 2023, employed parents who have a baby of up to 28 days old admitted to neonatal care for 7 days or longer, will be entitled to take one week of leave for every week their baby is in hospital, capped at 12 weeks.
Parents will be eligible to take leave on top of other statutory allowances, such as maternity and paternity leave, and receive pay where eligible. As a ‘day one’ employment right, this entitlement is available from the first day of a new job.
In the coming months, Bliss will be providing more detailed information for parents to ensure they are confident in accessing the support they are entitled to.
Bliss Chief Executive Caroline Lee-Davey said: “At Bliss we know just how important it is that babies born premature or sick have both parents at their side in neonatal care during their challenging first weeks and months of life, playing a hands-on role in their care. By contrast, the lack of additional parental leave rights for parents to date has forced many to make the unimaginable choice to return to work in order to pay their bills while their baby is desperately ill in hospital.
“That is why Bliss is so proud to have led campaigning for the introduction of the Neonatal Care (Leave & Pay) Act, which will provide thousands of employed parents every year with the assurance that they can take the time to be with their sick baby when they need it most.
“We are delighted that the Act will be implemented from 6 April this year and look forward to working with the Government and employers to ensure that all parents who are eligible know about this new entitlement, as well as the wider information and support that they can access from Bliss throughout their neonatal journey.”
