Many student AHPs undertaking diplomas in England will now continue to receive NHS bursary payments throughout maternity leave, under new arrangements.
The continued payments have been introduced by the Department of Health to help women who may have otherwise abandoned their studies to pursue a career in the NHS.
The changes are expected to benefit around 500 nursing, midwifery and AHP students a year who receive an NHS bursary, administered by the NHS Student Grants Unit.
Permanent arrangements for the continued payments are to be finalised. In the interim, students can opt to take maternity leave up to two months before the birth and payments will continue for up to 45 weeks. In some cases backdated payments are due from 1 June 2005.
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "By supporting these women through pregnancy and childbirth we hope that they will go on to have fruitful careers in the NHS. By providing this support, we want to send a positive message to students that in their subsequent NHS careers they will be joining an organisation that has supportive, family friendly values.'
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