Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023
From 6 April 2025, the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 will come into force. This act introduces a new statutory entitlement for parents whose babies require neonatal care. The leave is available to parents who have a baby in hospital care for at least 7 continuous days within the first 28 days after birth. The new entitlement is split between employees who have at least 26 weeks’ service – who receive statutory neonatal pay as well as leave – and shorter servers who are entitled to take up to 12 week’s unpaid leave. The leave can be taken in one continuous block or over multiple periods.
This new change should provide vital support for families of premature and sick babies who require additional support. Ensuring that new policies are in place to deal with this scenario is vital and will ensure that everyone is aware of their position.
