As a parent of a child with a serious medical condition, I spend a significant portion of my time at Great Ormond Street Hospital attending endless appointments. This is a distressing enough situation without the added burden of financial strain. Though employers are obligated to give time off for such circumstances, this time is often unpaid or taken out of holiday allowances, driving families like mine into a financial deficit.

There is a crucial need for a change in this practice. All employees should be entitled to paid leave for attending crucial medical appointments for their children. The current policy not only causes financial strain but also places additional emotional stress on parents at an already challenging time. We should not be forced to choose between caring for our children and maintaining our financial stability.

As per a recent survey by Working Families, nearly half of the UK parents surveyed are unaware of their employment rights when it comes to supporting their children with health issues. This lack of awareness, coupled with the financial stress, heavily impacts their ability to care for their children optimally.

Through this petition, we call on legislation to mandate companies to provide paid leave to employees attending their children's hospital appointments. This small step can alleviate financial stress on families, ultimately aiding in the better care of children battling medical conditions. Please sign this petition and support this call for change.