NHS Paternity Pay: Two Weeks on Full Pay Explained

The first weeks after a baby arrives are precious, and NHS staff who are partners get better paid leave than the legal minimum. This guide covers paternity leave and pay under Agenda for Change, sometimes called new parent support leave.

Who it applies to

Paternity leave is for the partner of the person giving birth, or the partner of the main adopter. It applies whatever your gender, as long as you will share responsibility for bringing up the child.

NHS paternity pay

If you have 12 months of continuous NHS service by the week the baby is due (or by the week you are matched with a child for adoption), you get two weeks of paternity leave on full pay.

For a full-time Band 5 on £32,073, full pay is about £616.79 a week, so two weeks is worth about £1,233.58 before tax.

Statutory Paternity Pay

If you have less than 12 months of NHS service, you may still get Statutory Paternity Pay. For that you need 26 weeks with your employer by the 15th week before the due week, and average earnings of at least £129 a week.

Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week from April 2026, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. For two weeks that is £388.64, well under half of what a Band 5 gets on NHS terms.

How to take the leave

You can take the two weeks together or as two separate weeks, at any point within the first year after the birth or placement. You need to give your employer notice, usually by the 15th week before the due date, and confirm the dates you want at least 28 days before each block of leave.

Some trusts let you take NHS paternity leave in a more flexible way, so check your local policy.

Time off before the birth

Partners also have a right to time off to attend up to two antenatal appointments. This is usually unpaid by law, although many NHS employers give paid time.

More time together

If you want more time at home, you and your partner can use shared parental leave. This lets the birth parent end maternity leave early and share the remaining weeks with you. NHS staff who meet the occupational maternity pay rules can get occupational shared parental pay at the same level. The shared parental pay guide explains how to split it.

If your baby needs neonatal care, you may also get up to 12 weeks of extra leave. See the neonatal care pay guide.

Worked example: part-time partner

A partner working 30 hours a week on Band 4 earns £22,714 a year, about £436.80 a week. With 12 months of NHS service, two weeks of full pay is about £873.60. Without that service, Statutory Paternity Pay would be the lower of £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, which in this case is £194.32 a week, so £388.64 for the two weeks.

Common questions

Can I take paternity leave after shared parental leave? Yes. Since April 2024 you can take paternity leave after shared parental leave, as long as it is within the first year.

Is there anything for surrogacy? Yes. Intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement can be eligible for paternity leave and pay if they meet the conditions.

What if my baby is born early? Your leave can start from the actual date of birth, and you only need to tell your employer as soon as you reasonably can.

Is paternity pay taxed? Yes, like normal pay. Pension contributions are also usually deducted.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing the notice deadline, usually the end of the 15th week before the due week.
• Assuming you need 26 weeks of NHS service for full pay. For NHS paternity pay you need 12 months.

Planning the two weeks

Many partners take the first week straight after the birth and save the second for when the birth parent's family support goes home, or for the first weeks after a baby leaves neonatal care. Booking the second week later is allowed as long as it is within the first year and you give at least 28 days' notice.

Check your entitlement

The paternity pay calculator works out two weeks of NHS paternity pay or Statutory Paternity Pay for your band, pay point and hours.