This is information from the BMA Model Contract Template

1.1 Length of Paternity Leave

Eligible employees can choose to take either one week or two consecutive week’s paternity leave (not odd days).

They can choose to start their leave:

  • From the date of the child’s birth (whether this is earlier or later than expected), or
  • From a chosen number of days or weeks after the date of the child’s birth (whether this is earlier or later than expected), or
  • From a chosen date later than the first day of the week in which the baby is expected to be born.

Leave can start on any day of the week on or following the child’s birth but must be completed:

  • Within fifty-six days of the actual date of birth of the child, or
  • If the child is born early, within the period from the actual date of birth up to fifty-six days after the first day of the expected week of birth.

Only one period of leave is available to employees irrespective of whether more than one child is born as the result of the same pregnancy.

1.2 Paternity Pay

If an employee has 12 months’ continuous service, following the same definition of continuous service as applies to maternity leave, they will qualify for two weeks full allowance less any statutory paternity pay receivable.

1.3 Statutory Paternity Pay

Where an employee does not have 12 months continuous service, but meets the qualifying criteria for paternity leave, they will be entitled to receive two weeks Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP).

Statutory Paternity Pay is paid by employers for either one or two consecutive weeks as the employee has chosen. The rate of Statutory Paternity Pay is the same as the standard rate of Statutory Maternity Pay. Employees who have average weekly earnings below the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance purposes do not qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay. Employees who do not qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay, or who are normally low paid, may be able to get Income Support while on paternity leave. Additional financial support may be available through Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Tax Credits or a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

This is information from Schedules to Direction to Strategic Health Authorities Concerning GP Registrars (2003) with 2011 Amendments

52A) Maternity Support (Paternity) leave and pay

a) Payments to GP Trainers in respect of the allowance for GP Registrars during paternity leave will be on the basis of 2 weeks at the full allowance, less any statutory paternity pay receivable where the GP Registrar has 12 months' continuous service.

e) The GP Registrar must give the GP Trainer a completed form SC3 “Becoming a Parent” at least 28 days before they want the paternity leave to start.

53) Incremental Dates

Absence on maternity, paternity and adoption leave, whether paid or unpaid, shall count towards any incremental progression to which the GP Registrar may be entitled, and will not defer the original incremental date.

54) Extension of Traineeship

Extension of the total period of the traineeship by the appropriate period of maternity, paternity or adoption leave shall be allowed by the Director to enable training to be completed (including, in the case of maternity or adoption leave, a longer extension where, with the Director and GP Trainer's agreement, the GP Registrar works fewer hours than prior to the birth).

55) Statutory Rights

Nothing in the conditions for payments to GP Trainers in respect of a GP Registrar's maternity, paternity or adoption leave shall be interpreted as qualifying a GP Registrar's statutory maternity, paternity or adoption leave rights.