NHS Staff Council Statement on annual leave
on 15 December 2021 Midwives RCM RCM Member MSWs - Maternity Support Workers NHS Staff NHS England NHS NHS Wales NHS Scotland Employment
Today (12 December) the NHS staff council has issued a joint statement in relation to annual leave and carry forward leave for midwives, maternity support workers, and all NHS staff. This follows a recent announcement from the Prime Minister that everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their COVID-19 booster vaccination before the New Year. As a result of this announcement, employers may be considering the impact of this work on staff annual leave during the coming months.
The NHS Staff Council previously issued some guidance on the management of annual leave during the pandemic, which may be helpful to refer to. In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published the following guidance: Annual leave during COVID-19 .
Where staff have their annual leave cancelled for exceptional business needs, employers are encouraged to put in place appropriate plans to ensure that these staff can take their leave in a timely manner at a later date, ensuring that they have sufficient time to rest and recuperate. As per the NHS Staff Council guidance, consideration may need to be given to allowing staff to carry any untaken leave forward into the next leave year, where they have been prevented from taking their annual leave. The health and wellbeing of staff remains a high priority. Employers are requested to exhaust other means to boost capacity and to ensure that cancellation of pre-booked leave is kept to an absolute minimum.
Notes to Editors
- The RCM sits on the NHS Staff Council to negotiate any changes in core conditions for staff on Agenda for Change. The staff council also provides national support on interpreting the national agreement for employers and trade unions. Jon Skewes RCM’s Executive Director for External Relations is the Staff Side Treasurer.
- Read more about the role of the NHS staff side Council here: https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/networks-and-engagement/nhs-staff-council
- The impact of the booster programme on annual leave and carry over | NHS Employers
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team