Pregnancy and Baby Loss Framework People Policy for NHS Staff
Case reference FOI2026/00492
Received 16 February 2026
Published 16 March 2026
Request
Dear FOI Team, Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am writing to request the following information relating to NHS England’s National Pregnancy and Baby Loss People Policy Framework, published in March 2024. The framework applies to pregnant women and people who experience a pregnancy or baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This policy includes, but is not limited to: miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, and termination of pregnancy.
1. Does this NHS Trust apply the above-named framework regarding staff who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy into local trust policy?
2. Are all staff who disclose a pregnancy loss entitled up to 10 days annual leave (pro-rata)? 3
. What type of leave is given to those who disclose a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy (e.g. Sickness Leave, Compassionate Leave, Special Leave)?
4. Are staff members who are partners of a woman or person who has experienced a pregnancy loss entitled up to 5 days leave (pro-rata)?
5. Please provide any internal policy documents or guidance issued to staff regarding pregnancy and baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy, in an electronic format. A link to the framework is here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-pregnancy-and-baby-loss-people-policy-framework/
Response
1. Does this NHS Trust apply the above-named framework regarding staff who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy into local trust policy?
No, not at the current time.
2. Are all staff who disclose a pregnancy loss entitled up to 10 days annual leave (pro-rata)?
At this time there is no separate provision of 10 days paid leave (pro rata for part time staff) for pregnancy or baby loss (it has been assumed this question relates to the 10 days of paid leave (pro rata) set out in the NHSE Pregnancy and Baby Loss Policy Framework). Any request for annual leave would be considered in accordance with the relevant Annual Leave Procedure.
3. What type of leave is given to those who disclose a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy (e.g. Sickness Leave, Compassionate Leave, Special Leave)?
If an employee does not feel well enough to attend work, they would follow the process for reporting their sickness and would be recorded as being on sick leave. Any other forms of leave would be discussed between the manager and employee.
4. Are staff members who are partners of a woman or person who has experienced a pregnancy loss entitled up to 5 days leave (pro-rata)?
There is currently no provision for five days paid leave (pro rata for part time staff) for the partner of somebody who has experienced pregnancy loss.
5. Please provide any internal policy documents or guidance issued to staff regarding pregnancy and baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy, in an electronic format.
A link to the framework is here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-pregnancy-and-baby-loss-people-policy-framework/
At this time the Trust does not have a Pregnancy and Baby Loss Policy however, there is support for staff available on the intranet.
Documents
This is Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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