Premature Birth/Hospitalised Baby Pay and Leave FAQ's

Page updated: 29/10/2026

I’m an employee and my baby was born prematurely, what do I have to do?

If your baby is born prematurely, it is important that you or a representative advises your manager of the situation. This means that they can deal with any administrative processes on your behalf. You only then need to focus on your baby’s well-being. Your manager will ensure that appropriate Maternity Leave or Maternity Support Leave and if applicable the Premature Baby Leave and Pay can be implemented.

What does premature birth mean?

A premature birth is considered to be a baby born before 37 weeks gestation.

What does full term birth mean?

Full-term babies are those born 37 weeks +, so if your baby is born at 38 weeks this is considered a full term birth.

When does my maternity leave start if my baby is born early?

If your baby is born prematurely and you have not yet started your maternity leave, your maternity leave will start on the day after the birth.

My baby was born before the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth, can my partner still get paternity leave?

Your partner is still entitled to paternity leave and pay if they would have been employed for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and their average weekly earnings are at least £123 per week (April 2023 – March 2024) in the eight weeks up to the week before the week your baby was born.

What happens to my partner’s paternity leave if our baby has been born early?

Fathers and partners (including same sex partners) can start their paternity leave on the day the child is born or take paternity leave up to 56 days from the birth. If your baby is premature, paternity leave can be taken up to 56 days from the due date. Paternity leave can be one or two weeks and must be completed within the 56 day period.

If your partner has already given notice of when s/he wants to start paternity leave and your baby is born early, your partner must contact us as soon as reasonably possible and tell us that your baby has been born. Your partner can vary the date s/ he wants to start paternity leave by giving notice as soon as reasonably possible. If your partner has not yet given notice and your baby is born early, s/he must contact us as soon as possible and give notice of when they want to take paternity leave.

I have filled out my application form and have copies of my supporting evidence, can I email it back or does it have to be sent in to the Absence Team?

We would accept both, an email is sufficient with scanned copies of the supporting evidence required. Postal address: Absence Team, Building 4, St Davids Park, Carmarthen, SA31 3HB.

My baby was hospitalised immediately following birth at 38 weeks, we remained in hospital for 3 weeks, I am the baby’s mother and qualify for maternity leave, what am I entitled to?

You will receive your maternity payments, in addition, you would receive 3 weeks hospitalised baby pay and 3 weeks additional hospitalised baby leave added on to the end of the maternity leave (unpaid).

How many weeks can I claim hospitalised baby pay and leave?

Maximum pay and leave is 4 weeks.

My baby was born prematurely at 36 weeks, hospitalised for four weeks, I am the baby’s father and am eligible for paternity leave what am I entitled to?

You will receive 4 weeks premature baby pay, paternity pay and leave for up to 2 weeks (optional) and then 4 weeks premature baby leave following paternity leave (unpaid).

How many weeks can I claim premature baby pay and leave?

From birth to end of hospitalisation (maximum to full term date - 40 weeks).

Myself and my partner work for the Authority, can we both claim the leave and pay?

Yes you can both apply for the pay and leave.

My baby was discharged from hospital, but we have since had to go back in to hospital, am I entitled to the pay and leave?

No, unfortunately not, the hospitalised baby pay and leave is only available if the baby is hospitalised immediately following birth.

What pay will I be entitled to in addition to my statutory payments?

You will be entitled to 1 weeks’ pay and leave for every week your baby spends in hospital, the calculation will be based on your contracted hours at the date the baby is hospitalised - up to 37 hours per week.

Example:
Monthly salary/number of days in month x no of days required to be paid, for all queries please contact the Absence Team.

What happens to my partner’s paternity leave if our baby has been born early?

If your partner has already given notice of when they want to start paternity leave and your baby is born early, your partner must contact us as soon as reasonably possible and tell us that your baby has been born. Your partner can vary the date they want to start paternity leave by giving notice as soon as reasonably possible. If your partner has not yet given notice and your baby is born early, they must contact us as soon as possible and give notice of when they want to take paternity leave.

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