A message to all RCM members from our Chief Executive
As the year comes to a close, our Chief Executive Gill Walton has a message for Royal College of Midwives members. It is a moment to reflect on the challenges of the past year, to recognise the extraordinary work happening across maternity services every day, and to say thank you to those who continue to […]
When workplaces are in crisis and workers are being damaged, it’s only trade unions that can make change
This is an historic day for working people across the UK and the RCM has been proud to stand alongside our fellow TUC unions in the long campaign to deliver real rights for working people, and to end the anti-trade union measures put in place to stop public sector workers taking industrial action when things […]
RCM highlights midwives are ‘exhausted, overstretched and burnt out’
Commenting on a campaign to reduce midwives’ working hours, Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “Midwives and maternity support workers are facing extreme pressures and as this campaign highlights, they are exhausted, overstretched and working in unsustainable conditions. “The evidence is stark. The Royal College of Midwives’ surveys have shown that 45% of midwives […]
RCM urges pregnant women to protect themselves as flu hospitalisations surge
Following today’s NHS data showing flu hospitalisations have surged to record winter levels, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is urging pregnant women to take steps to protect themselves and their babies. New NHS figures released today (Thursday 11 December) show flu hospitalisations have jumped by 55% in just one week, with an average of […]
Strengthening compensatory rest guidance for Scotland
“Winning for our members providing out of hours on-call in Scotland’ Last week saw the publication of “Guidance on Applying Compensatory Rest Related to On-Call for Staff Employed Under Agenda for Change Terms & Conditions”, published as part of the NHS Scotland Agenda for Change (AfC) Review, via the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC). The RCM pushed for its development to ensure that midwives and other AfC staff were effectively supported […]
Evidence-Based Practice: Search Pack of the Month, December
MIDIRS Search Pack of the Month for December reinforces our mission to supply maternity health care professionals with evidence-based resources to develop knowledge and practice. This year MIDIRS began its ‘Search Pack of the Month’ initiative, releasing a free Search Pack each month connecting to an event, celebration or research priority. Our aim with this […]
The RCM responds to Baroness Amos’ interim report on maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives has responded to Baroness Amos’ interim report on maternity services, calling for urgent action on safe staffing and proper investment after the review highlighted systemic failings across maternity care. The report, which examined maternity services found that despite 748 recommendations made over the past decade, change has been “too slow.” […]
MSW and RCM member speaks movingly about baby loss and bereavement care at Parliament
Maternity support worker (MSW) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM) member Racheal Crane spoke movingly at Parliament last week about her personal experience of baby loss and professional expertise in bereavement care. Racheal, who works at James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth, was invited to speak at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Baby Loss, […]
Minimum wage rise highlights need for NHS pay reform, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned that increases to the National Minimum Wage announced in last week’s Budget underline the urgent need to reform NHS pay bands. Last week’s Budget announced that from April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for workers aged over 21 will rise to £12.71 an hour. While the RCM […]
Royal College of Midwives warns slowdown in midwifery workforce growth risks increasing pressure on maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has expressed concerns following new figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) showing a significant slowdown in growth of the UK’s nursing and midwifery register, driven by a sharp fall in international recruitment and an increase in staff leaving the profession. The latest NMC data, released today (Friday […]