# Nearly half of English NHS trusts lack funding for maternity cover

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/half-of-nhs-trusts-in-england-lack-funds-earmarked-to-cover-maternity-leave/
- Published: 2026-11-08T17:42:39+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T18:28:56+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/nov/08/half-of-nhs-trusts-in-england-lack-funds-earmarked-to-cover-maternity-leave
- Topics: UK, World

## Key points

- 49% of trusts lack earmarked maternity cover funding.
- Physiotherapy cover is less common than nursing cover.
- The CSP warns patients may face longer waits.

## Summary

Nearly half of NHS trusts in England have no dedicated funding or policy to cover staff maternity leave, according to a Chartered Society of Physiotherapy analysis. The findings raise concerns that physiotherapy teams, already under pressure, may be left with heavier workloads and patients may face longer waits for treatment and rehabilitation.

Freedom of information responses found 49% of trusts had no earmarked funding or overspending policy for maternity cover. More than one in five said arrangements did not cover physiotherapists, compared with 9% for nurses; women make up about 79% of the NHS physiotherapy workforce. The CSP is calling for equal access to cover funding and action on recruitment freezes, while the Patients’ Association says unfilled absences can reduce access to specialist care.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.