Parent accommodation, neonatal care leave and expenses

In the UK you and your partner may be able to get paid time off work if your newborn baby is premature or sick and needs neonatal care.

‘Neonatal care’ is the name given to care for newborn babies which starts in the first 28 days after birth. This may be for:

• hospital care
• medical care after leaving hospital - this must be under a consultant and include ongoing visits or checks arranged by the hospital where your baby was treated
• palliative or end of life care

You may be able to get:

• Neonatal Care Leave
• Statutory Neonatal Care Pay

You can get one week’s leave for every 7 full and continuous days your baby is in neonatal care, for up to 12 weeks.

You get Neonatal Care Pay and Leave in addition to other parental pay and leave entitlements. If you’re already on maternity leave or adoption leave, Neonatal Care Leave must be taken at the end of that entitlement.

There are rules about when you can take your leave and how to claim.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official GOV.UK page:

Neonatal Care Pay and Leave: Overview - GOV.UK

If you have any questions or need further help please ask the staff within the neonatal unit or contact the family support and information services on:

Information you can direct your employers to:

Statutory Neonatal Care Pay and Leave: employer guide: Overview - GOV.UK

Neonatal care leave and pay: employers' technical guide - GOV.UK

For parents from outside the West of Scotland we have access to accommodation at Crossbasket House, a purpose built parent accommodation block on the campus that can accommodate parents if their baby will be staying with us for a long time. If the House is full, we can arrange a nearby hotel instead.

If you feel that you may need this please speak to the nurse looking after your baby and they will make arrangements for this.

Prior to your baby going home we may offer you the opportunity to stay with your baby in one of our 4 rooming in rooms located on level 2 of the neonatal unit. This is normally reserved for babies within 48 hours of discharge.

The Scottish Government Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) also provide expenses for families who currently have a baby on a neonatal unit. More information can be found here. Paper copies of forms are also available in the neonatal unit - ask the clerkess.

You can find the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the YPFF here.

For help with completing the required expenses forms please speak to the nurse in charge or the ward clerkess.

There is a parent’s sitting room and kitchen available with a microwave and tea and coffee making facilities on both level 1 and level 2. A fridge is also available to store food and juice. Please date and label all items.

The main adult hospital (see campus map section on this page) has a range of restaurants, coffee shops and hot food vendors. There is also a Marks and Spencer Food Hall at the main entrance of the adult hospital.

The Children’s Hospital (see map) also has a sanctuary and quiet area that is located at the outpatient clinic area.