1. Parental Leave Survey Dr Elaine Griffiths

2. Parental Leave Survey  Total 1225 Responses aged between 31- 50 yrs  All Specialities/LETB’s/Deaneries represented  80% white British but all ethnic groups represented  Responses across all grades but specialist trainees the largest cohort  We have been able to subdivide the groups into those taking maternity leave >5 yrs ago & those taking maternity leave <5yrs ago

3. Parental Leave Survey  All male respondents taking only 10 -14 days of paternity leave  No impact on their careers  Parental leave taken >5 yrs ago 13%; <5 yrs figure rose to 22%  Baseline for further studies

4. Parental Leave Survey Table: Grades Post 2010

5. Parental Leave Survey  Data suggest that the length of time taken for post-natal leave may be increasing Maternity leave duration post 2010

6. Parental Leave Survey  Data indicated poor knowledge of available resources to aid planning

7. Parental Leave Survey Prenatal concerns:  Effect on clinical competence 79%  CPD 57%  Revalidation 24%  Working relationships with colleagues 59%  Finances 74%  Childcare 78%

8. Parental Leave Survey Reasons for early return to work (post 2010)

9. Parental Leave Survey Emotional Concerns (Post 2010)

10. Parental Leave Survey  Less than 6% had Occupational Health Assessment or were aware of a risk assessment being performed on their return to work  Despite 25% were experiencing post natal problems  Sleep Deprivation results:

11. Parental Leave Survey Keeping in touch days (KIT)  Fewer than 50% discussed this option with their employers prior to maternity leave  Only 25% were actually offered KIT days  This figure dropped to 15% if the respondent was returning to a different Trust  Many were not offered the recommended 10 days:

12. Parental Leave Survey Facilitating a smooth return to work:  Only 20% offered opportunity to refresh/maintain clinical skills either during leave or after the return to work  Nobody was offered a clinical attachment/shadowing prior to returning  Only in Anaesthesia was any simulator experience to refresh resuscitation skills or the like given  Only 5% were allocated a clinical supervisor/mentor to oversee their immediate return to work  75% were not informed of new policies or equipment changes which had occurred whilst they were on maternity leave  Only 27% were provided with agreed milestones with, which to monitor their progress on returning to work, and information on how this was to monitored

13. Parental Leave Survey  50% were breastfeeding on return to work  Only 8% were provided with a private space to express breast milk  This resulted in 30% ceasing breastfeeding earlier than planned  Other medical parents & partners were the most relied on resources when returning to work  Childcare was a major concern:

14. Parental Leave Survey  80% of respondents were in full time work prior to taking maternity leave  60% were planning to return less than full time  1/3 of those who were returning less than full-time (LTFT) had difficulties arranging this  Considerable frustration was expressed about managing a LTFT return to work  Particularly the organisational paperwork, and the multiplicity of forms (as employer paperwork is distinct from that required by local education and training boards (LETBs)/deaneries)

15. Parental Leave Survey Overall Experience Rating:

16. Parental Leave Survey Action Points  Remind Employers and colleagues of the importance of discussing voluntary arrangements around KIT days and ensure that the employees returning Trust if different is involved in these discussion  Colleges; LETB’s and Deaneries must be more proactive in promoting available resources to those seeking to take parental leave  Mandatory for Employers to inform all colleagues on maternity leave of new developments/equipment and direct them to appropriate resources to familiarise themselves with the advances  Encourage Employers to follow best practice ensuring that the first week of return to work is programmed as induction and shadowing a colleague to familiarising oneself with hospital procedures

17. Parental Leave Survey Action Points  Risk assessments should be extended to include all mother’s returning from maternity leave  Deaneries/LETB’s must ensure that the returning trainee has a designated educational supervisor who will meet with them prior to returning to work and actively monitor their progress in the first three months  Returning Trainees must be given a designated consultant who will give them support and advice in the first three months