Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it the policy of the Government to contact NHS nurses currently on maternity leave to request their assistance in filling vacancies.

The family leave guidance published by NHS Employers in October 2020 sets out the options an employer could consider should a member of staff who is currently on family leave, maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave, indicate that they would like to return to work early or for a period of time to support the National Health Service during the pandemic.

Employers will need to carry out a risk assessment and provide appropriate facilities in accordance with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 for any employee returning from a period of maternity leave, in particular mothers who are breastfeeding.