New maternity payments for NHS-funded students
In January 2005, three student midwives won their case against the NHS to have their bursaries continued despite taking a break from their course due to maternity leave. This decision was upheld in a Court of Appeal in March 2006. The case was supported by the Equal Opportunities Commission.
For more information: Equal Opportunities Commission
Following this legal victory, a new scheme providing paid maternity leave for students in receipt of maintenance bursaries for NHS-funded courses in England has been introduced from 1 January 2007.
If you have students at your college funded by the NHS for healthcare related courses, including pre-registration medical and dental students, they may be eligible to apply if they become pregnant during their course. The arrangements for the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are outlined in this document.
If you have queries about student finance, please contact the NUS welfare team
Return to this campaign's homepage or view all articles in this campaign.