Training As a Parent

Family Planning

Neurosurgery training is long and gruelling, and likely to fall in the years when many people are considering starting a family. If you feel like it’s the right time to start a family, then putting your training on pause can be a positive choice. Having a supportive family/social network can be hugely beneficial, but it can also be challenging to balance work and home life. There is no right or wrong time during training to start a family, but you might want to consider the following factors:

Rotational placements – we are relatively lucky in neurosurgery with the amount of moving around that is required. However, if your deanery requires you to have placements further from home, consider whether you can do these earlier in your training. A long commute at the end of the day when you have babies to put to bed could add to your stress.

Exams – it is entirely personal choice how exams are factored into family planning. Some may prefer to wait until they have finished their exams, whereas others may not.

Fellowships – if you are considering a fellowship abroad, this will affect your entitlement to maternity pay once you return. A UK fellowship within the NHS will still count as continuous service, therefore it shouldn’t affect your maternity pay entitlements.

Taking time out – Consider how you will feel about taking time out at different stages; earlier in training vs nearer CCT. It will take a while for you to regain confidence in your skills after returning to work.

Working less than full time – Many parents return to work LTFT. Consider if this is likely to be for you and how this will affect the length of your training.

Fertility/IVF

Female surgeons typically have families later and have higher rates of fertility treatment. If you are over 35, your GP can refer you to fertility services after 1 year of trying to conceive. For those under 35, it is two years. If you are undergoing fertility treatment, you are entitled to time off for appointments.

Speak to occupational health regarding workplace adjustments if needed – see the pregnancy section for occupational hazards to avoid.

If you feel comfortable to do so, inform your supervisor and rota coordinator so that they can support you.

ACAS IVF Treatment

Pregnancy

Congratulations if this is you!

See our guide: “How to survive and thrive as a
Pregnant Neurosurgeon” to get the best out of your
training while also making informed choices about
your wellbeing.

How to Survive and Thrive
as a Pregnant Neurosurgeon

Adoption

Although an amazing and rewarding journey to go through, undergoing an adoption process can also be time intensive and stressful. Prior to an adoption going through, you will need time off for adoption training, appointments and social worker assessments - discuss this with your supervisor and rota coordinator to allow adjustments to be made.

You will be entitled to adoption leave afterwards and these are the same rights as for maternity/paternity leave - see the BMA guide for more information. You must be in continuous employment with the NHS for 26 weeks before the qualifying week (the week you are matched with a child) to be eligible for adoption leave.

BMA Adoption and Surrogacy

Paternity Leave

If you have been in continuous employment with the NHS for at least 26 weeks prior to the 15th week before the due date, you are eligible for paid paternity leave. Although traditionally this is two weeks paid leave, you can opt for shared parental leave if this is suitable. This means that the birth parent must take 2 weeks of leave initially, and then the following 50 weeks can be shared. You can decide how to divide it, and can take it at different times or at the same time.

For example, some couples choose for the mother to have a period of maternity leave, and then the father takes a portion of parental leave once the mother returns to work. Others may decide to have time off together. In addition, the leave does not have to be in one block, but instead can be taken in small amounts.

You must inform your employer of your plans for paternity leave before the 15th week before the expected due date.

Also note that you are entitled to time off for two antenatal appointments, and can negotiate with your employer for more.

ACAS Shared Parental Leave

BMA Shared Parental Leave

Training As Parents

The traditional picture of a hard-working male neurosurgeon with a wife who looks after the children is not the reality for most of us. Childcare is mainly shared between two working partners, meaning the neurosurgical dads are often as exhausted as the mums.

Finding a good work-life balance after children come along can be a challenge and it is worth looking at different options which can help ease the strain.

Remember that during the first 12 months, shared parental leave is an option and may work well for you as a family.

Less than full time working is an option for men and women (and not just for childcare reasons). See our LTFT pages for more information.

Family help is not always on hand and if you need to make use of paid childcare, it is worth considering this early as there is often a waiting list. There are many options including nursery, childminders, live-out or live-in nannies/au pairs.

Also make use of other paid help if you need to lessen the load - cleaner, dog walker, decorator etc. Prioritise what is important and outsource other tasks if possible!

Useful Links

BMA - Maternity, Paternity and Adoption

ACAS - Maternity Leave Pay

RCSEd - Returning to Work

RCSEng - Parenthood with a Surgical Career

NHS - General Maternity Guidance

If you would like any help or support relating to any of the topics above, please contact:

Anna Bjornson - LTFT BNTA rep

Daniel Thompson - SAC BNTA rep

Both of whom can be contacted via the Contact Us section of the website or alternatively via the BNTA email address (BNTAe1v1m1@outlook.com)