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Nearly half of English NHS trusts lack funding for maternity cover
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.
In short
- 49% of trusts lack earmarked maternity cover funding.
- Physiotherapy cover is less common than nursing cover.
- The CSP warns patients may face longer waits.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Dedicated funding and clear policies for maternity cover can prevent staff absences from adding to colleagues’ workloads and reducing patients’ access to treatment. Since women make up most of the physiotherapy workforce, inconsistent cover may also create unequal effects across professions; the CSP argues that physiotherapists should have the same access to cover as other staff.
The case against
Trusts facing tight budgets and recruitment constraints may argue that earmarking funds for every absence is difficult, particularly when they must balance maternity cover against other urgent staffing and patient-care needs. They may favour local, flexible arrangements that respond to service pressures, while acknowledging that these can leave gaps when replacement staff are unavailable.
Explained simply
NHS trusts are local organisations responsible for running hospital and community health services in England. Physiotherapists help people recover movement and function after illness, injury or surgery, often as part of a wider care team.
When a member of staff takes maternity leave, a trust may arrange temporary cover or share out their work among colleagues. Without cover, teams can face extra pressure and patients may wait longer for treatment or rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is a largely female workforce, so maternity cover arrangements can affect many staff.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Half of NHS trusts in England lack funds earmarked to cover maternity leave”.