NHS Trusts Lack Maternity Cover Funds, Physiotherapy Hit Hardest 2026

Nearly half of NHS trusts in England have no earmarked funding to cover staff on maternity leave, with physiotherapy services bearing the brunt, according to new analysis by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). The findings raise fresh concerns about pressure on already stretched rehabilitation teams and the patients who depend on them.

The CSP sent Freedom of Information requests to NHS trusts across England and discovered that 49% had neither a dedicated budget nor a policy to permit overspending to pay for maternity cover. This means that when physiotherapists take maternity leave, there may be no financial mechanism to hire temporary replacements.

Physiotherapy Treated Less Favourably Than Nursing

Where funding does exist, the analysis revealed that physiotherapy appears to be treated less favourably than other areas of healthcare. More than one in five trusts (22%) said their maternity cover arrangements did not extend to physiotherapy staff, compared with only 9% for nursing posts.

This disparity is particularly stark given that women make up about 79% of the NHS physiotherapy workforce. The CSP argues that failing to plan for maternity leave risks leaving overstretched teams to shoulder the same workload with fewer people.

Impact on Patient Care

Without adequate cover, patients waiting for treatment and rehabilitation may face longer delays. The CSP warns that already overstretched colleagues are left trying to absorb the workload, which can lead to burnout and reduced quality of care.

Ash James, the CSP’s director of practice and development, said it was deeply concerning that physiotherapy teams were significantly less likely than their nursing colleagues to have access to funding for maternity. He emphasised that when a physiotherapist goes on maternity leave, the patients needing treatment don’t disappear.

Key Findings from the FOI Analysis

• 49% of NHS trusts have no dedicated budget or policy to permit overspending for maternity cover.
• 22% of trusts do not extend maternity cover arrangements to physiotherapy staff, compared with 9% for nursing.
• 79% of the physiotherapy workforce is female, making maternity cover a critical issue for the profession.
• Lack of cover can lead to longer waiting times for patients and increased pressure on remaining staff.
• The CSP calls for trusts to ensure equitable maternity cover funding across all healthcare roles.

How Trusts Compare on Maternity Cover

The table below summarises the key differences in maternity cover arrangements between physiotherapy and nursing, based on the CSP’s FOI findings.

These figures highlight a systemic issue: even where trusts have some form of maternity cover, physiotherapy is often excluded. This can exacerbate existing staff shortages and delay patient rehabilitation.

Why This Matters for the NHS Workforce

The NHS is already facing significant workforce challenges, and maternity leave is a routine part of employment for a predominantly female workforce. Without proper cover, trusts risk losing experienced physiotherapists to burnout and reducing the quality of care for patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory conditions.

The CSP is urging trusts to review their maternity cover policies and ensure that physiotherapy is not left behind. Adequate funding for cover is not just a matter of fairness but of maintaining patient care standards. The background to this story is set out in Best UK Universities for Physiotherapy: League Table Guide. A related thread runs through Business: latest articles.

What to Watch Next

The CSP’s findings come amid broader concerns about NHS staffing and funding. As trusts grapple with budget constraints, the pressure to provide equitable maternity cover for all staff groups will only grow. Advocates will be watching closely to see whether trusts revise their policies in response to the CSP’s analysis. Earlier coverage in Palantir NHS Data Platform Unused by 29 Trusts, Guardian Reveals shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in California Billionaire Tax Fight: Democrats Split on Prop 40.

In related NHS data developments, Palantir patient data tech rejected by many NHS trusts in England has sparked debate over how patient information is managed. Similarly, reports that the Palantir NHS data platform is unused by 29 trusts, the Guardian reveals, underscore the challenges of implementing new systems across a fragmented NHS landscape. These issues, while distinct from maternity cover, reflect the broader strain on NHS resources and decision-making.

Meanwhile, in the world of sports, Thomas Tuchel trusts England’s special breed to beat Messi’s Argentina – a reminder that teamwork and planning are essential in any high-pressure environment, much like in healthcare staffing. Anyone following the wider picture can start with California Billionaire Tax: How a Union Leader's 'Crazy' Idea Became.

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