The Smallest Things credits #NotMatLeave parent supporters and 352,954 signatories for new neonatal leave law:

Following the announcement from government that parents of babies needing neonatal care will receive up to 12 weeks’ extra paid leave, The Smallest Things thanks its passionate supporters for highlighting the issue by sharing stories, photos and signing the petition to extend parental leave.

The Smallest Things, a charity run entirely by volunteers whose children were born early, has campaigned for extended parental leave following premature birth since 2015.

Catriona Ogilvy, founder and chair of The Smallest Things, said,

“We’ve done it! As parents who have spent the first days, weeks or months of our children’s lives in a neonatal intensive care unit, we are over the moon that the worry of work and pay will be eased for the incubator-watchers who follow in our footsteps. As a charity, we are delighted that our hard work and campaigning has paid off. This will make a difference to many families at the toughest times in their lives when the health of their babies needs to be top priority.”

We look forward to hearing details of the new neonatal leave legislation and to working with charity colleagues and government to ensure all families receive the additional time they need in neonatal care.