As a result of this vote, the BMA now recommends that for maternity leave salaried GPs should receive 8 weeks full pay (less any statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance and any dependant allowances receivable), 18 weeks half pay (plus any statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance including any dependant allowances) and 13 weeks at statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance.
These new maternity leave terms for GPs match the maternity leave provisions for hospital doctors and align with the 26 weeks that GP practices can claim locum reimbursement for maternity cover.
Implementing the BMA’s recommendations on increased salaried GP maternity leave pay
This vote by the GPC UK means that the BMA is now recommending that GP practices should have discussions with all their salaried GPs regarding increasing the number of weeks at half maternity pay from 14 to 18 weeks as soon as possible. All salaried GPs should be given the opportunity to have their contract amended as per the new guidelines the GPC UK has set out.
Once discussions have been held, and the amendments agreed to verbally, a contract variation letter and amended terms and conditions of service should be sent to the affected employees and confirmed by returned signature. GPC UK expect this change to take place from 1 April 2025 at the latest.
We have produced a set of template letters to help with this.
Salaried GP maternity leave pay FAQs for employers
Why should my practice do this when we are already financially struggling?
Practices are already entitled to claim for 26 weeks of locum reimbursement for maternity cover, therefore the cost of an additional 4 weeks of half pay for the salaried GP is negligible. Improving the maternity leave terms for salaried GPs to match hospital doctor terms will aid with retention of existing staff and could make the practice a more attractive employer to potential employees.
For further information on maternity and other types of parental leave please see our guidance.
Other staff don’t receive this much maternity leave, why should salaried GPs receive it?
Practices in all four nations are entitled to claim for locum reimbursement for up to 26 weeks of maternity leave to cover the absences of GPs, whether partners or salaried. Practices whose partnership agreements do not offer the same length of leave to partners may wish to consider jointly agreeing to align to the level of reimbursement available.
The length of maternity leave available can be an important factor in the retention of staff and the reimbursement available makes this a cost-effective way of improving salaried GP retention.
None of the salaried GPs employed by my practice will benefit from this change, do I still need to offer them this amendment?
It is important that the change is offered to all salaried GPs, regardless of gender, age or intention to have children. Practices need to ensure that they offer the change to all their salaried GPs equally for completeness and to ensure that new contracts for new employees match their colleagues.
The practice has a salaried GP on maternity leave currently. What should we do?
Practices can already claim for locum reimbursement for maternity cover for 26 weeks, as per the SFEs and the NHS England ‘Primary medical services policy and guidance manual’. Therefore, as an initial step, the practice should write to the salaried GP using the contract variation and asking if they would like the change incorporated into their terms and conditions. Following agreement by the salaried GP, the practice should confirm with the existing locum cover whether they can extend their engagement by four weeks. If that is not possible, alternative locum arrangements should be organised for the additional 4 weeks of maternity cover.
Salaried GP maternity leave pay FAQs for employees
My practice won’t agree to increase the maternity leave pay provisions in my contract. What can I do?
GPC UK voted for salaried GP maternity leave to be increased to match the terms and conditions of hospital doctors. Practices can already claim for locum reimbursement for maternity cover for 26 weeks, as per the SFE. These changes represent an alignment of salaried GP terms with hospital doctor terms and conditions and enable practices to claim the full funding that they are entitled to. Please contact the BMA via our webform for support.
My maternity leave has already started, can I get this contract change?
All salaried GPs are entitled to request the change to maternity leave, and practices should use their discretion to increase a salaried GP’s maternity leave if they are already on maternity leave. Practices can already claim for locum reimbursement for maternity cover for 26 weeks, as per the SFE, and therefore we would encourage them to extend a salaried GP’s maternity leave at half pay. If your practice is unwilling to extend your maternity leave as per GPC UK’s advice, please contact the BMA via our webform for support.
My maternity leave is due to start before the 1 April 2025, can I get this contract change?
All salaried GPs are entitled to request the change to maternity leave. Practices are encouraged to use their discretion to increase a salaried GP’s maternity leave if they are due to start maternity leave before the 1 April 2025. Practices can already claim for locum reimbursement for maternity cover for 26 weeks, as per the SFE, and therefore have the ability to extend a salaried GP’s maternity leave at half pay as per GPC UK’s direction. If your practice is unwilling to extend your maternity leave as per GPC UK’s advice, please contact the BMA via our webform for support.
How does this change affect GP partners?
GP partners are subject to the terms set out in their Partnership Agreement. Each Partnership Agreement is unique, and the details must be agreed, or accepted, by all parties. Should Partners wish to adopt these, or similar, terms must agree any change with their partners and record them appropriately.