BDA: New miscarriage leave must cover the dental team
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 7th May 2024
The British Dental Association has urged NHS England to extend its recently announced miscarriage leave to the NHS dental team.
In open letter to NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard the professional body cite front line evidence from practitioners left with no choice but return to work immediately, having to put aside their grief to keep working, or face financial penalties. The BDA stresses both mums and dads-to-be deserve better when facing the heartbreak of losing a child.
The newly introduced national pregnancy and baby loss policy framework, will support NHS staff, and includes but is not limited to, up to 10 days paid leave for the mother, and up to 5 days paid leave for the partner, in the cases of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, and termination of pregnancy.
At present, this policy would not apply to high street NHS dentists or their teams, as they are not directly employed by the NHS. The BDA believe it is vital that the whole team are given the same support as other NHS staff through deeply challenging personal circumstances.
Co-Chairs of the BDA’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, Lauren Harrhy and Ellie Heidari, said: “Dentists have told us of the physical and emotional toil caused by lack of support during these circumstances, putting aside grief to keep working, or face financial penalties and even more stress. NHS England have a chance to ensure that all dedicated NHS clinicians have the support they need, and we will push for them to do the right thing.”
