Maternity services are highlighted as an area of special concern in CQC report
By Tara Kaufman, Policy Advisor, Royal College of Midwives on 21 October 2022 Maternity Services Midwifery Workforce MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Safety Staffing Levels The CQC’s annual report on the state of healthcare in England published today doesn’t pull its punches: “The… system is gridlocked” is its grim opening. It goes on to paint […]
‘Deeply insulting’ says the RCM on revised Scotland NHS pay offer
Scotland’s revised pay offer to midwives and maternity support workers (MSW) announced today is disappointing and deeply insulting says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The RCM is calling for the Scottish Government to rethink its position on pay and to put a meaningful pay offer on the table. Late yesterday the Scottish Government made […]
We must work together to fix maternity care, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has urged swifter progress to fix the systemic problems facing maternity care. The call comes following the publication by Dr Bill Kirkup CBE of his review of the failings at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. Birte Harlev-Lam, Executive Director Midwife at the RCM, said: “Every woman should feel that […]
More flexible working vital to stop staff flight from NHS says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling for more flexible working in the NHS to boost retention of midwives, maternity support workers (MSW) and other staff. This comes in an RCM motion to the TUC Congress today. Staff are leaving the NHS in part because they do not have access to flexible working, and […]
Staffing and funding for maternity bereavement services ‘a scandal’ says the RCM at TUC Congress
Significant and urgent Investment is needed to tackle serious staff shortages and underfunding in maternity service bereavement care. That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in a motion to the TUC Congress tomorrow. Around 1 in 5 pregnancies result in a miscarriage or stillbirth, yet services and support for bereaved women and […]
NHS employers are failing staff on menopause support says the RCM calling for urgent improvements
Support from employers for maternity staff going through the menopause is ‘appallingly neglected’ and urgent improvements are needed says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The call comes as the RCM publishes guidance today for maternity staff and employers on working with the menopause on World Menopause Day. A survey of RCM members last year […]
Impact of social and ethnic inequalities clear in latest MBRRACE-UK report says RCM
‘The highest stillbirth rates continue to impact women living in the most deprived communities where social inequalities are entrenched.’ That’s according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as it responds to the latest MBRRACE-UK PMRT report. The college says while it’s positive to see a drop in perinatal death rates variation sadly persists based […]
Working to reduce baby loss and improve bereavement care
By Heather Bower, RCM Professional Advisor, Midwife on 11 October 2022 Midwives MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Bereavement Care Child Mortality Infant Mortality Miscarriage Neonatal Death Safe Sleep Sands Stillbirth Specialist Midwives The loss of a baby is devastating for every family experiencing such a loss. It is also traumatic for midwives, MSWs and other […]
Become a member of the Student Midwife Forum
We are pleased to announce that the nominations for student midwife elections to the RCM Student Midwife Forum (SMF) are open! The SMF is there for student midwives and to be a voice for all student midwives. The elected members speak for you at national level and work with staff at the RCM when it […]
RCM to consult members in Northern Ireland on appetite for industrial action
“If no pay award was implemented, would you be prepared to take industrial action?” That’s one of the questions the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will ask its members in Northern Ireland next week when it launches a formal consultation on pay. The RCM says its ‘deeply frustrated’ and its ‘completely unfair’ that hardworking midwives […]