Sustained support and investment are needed to enable midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) to deliver safety improvements across Welsh maternity services says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales.
Everything from safe staffing levels to prioritising time for multidisciplinary training and improving organisational and working cultures must be addressed,if we are to see the improvements that are needed in Wales says the RCM.
The RCM says it’s also imperative that improvement plans for Welsh maternity services are backed by an investment in staff. Midwives and maternity support workers should be working in a system that supports them to deliver safe, personalised care to women and their families across Wales.
The calls come as the Welsh Government in March published a new Quality Statement on Maternity and Neonatal Care, alongside a perinatal engagement framework which the RCM has welcomed but cautioned both need to be backed by appropriate workforce planning and investment.
Commenting, the RCM’s Director for Wales, Julie Richards, said: “The maternity and neonatal care and perinatal engagement framework both sets how NHS Wales will improve maternity services. They include a vison of what ‘good’ maternity services look like, which is positive. However, we need to be realistic. Neither can be achieved without proper workforce planning and both frameworks are dependent on investing in staff. It’s never been more crucial that we have the right levels of staff, in the right places, at the right time with the right education and training.
“This is particularly important because our members are seeing an increase in more complex pregnancies with women presenting to maternity services with underlying health conditions such as higher BMI and more social complexities than ever before. These women need specialist midwife support to maintain a safe pregnancy and ensure the best outcome for both them and their babies.”
The RCM says that there also needs to be an increased focus on learning and sharing good practice. Under new plans individual Health Boards are expected to listen to and act upon the ideas of pregnant women which the RCM supports. However, the RCM would also like to see the feedback from midwives and maternity support workers included in this and transparency in reporting, with Health Boards having to make these reports publicly available.
Equally, according to the RCM, nurturing workplace cultures, compassionate leadership and strong multidisciplinary teamworking enables the delivery of high-quality maternity care. The College says when staff feel supported and well rested the level of care they can provide positively increases.
Julie added:
“Sharing successes and good practice between Health Boards will undoubtedly support the maternity safety improvement drive in Wales. It’s also vital that those managing services, are really listening to staff, listening to their concerns, and acting upon them. Many of our members tell us that they feel stuck in a system that does not support them to deliver the best care they know they can. NHS employers need to provide a working environment that promotes the delivery of high-quality safe care. Equally everyone working in our maternity services has a responsibility to create an environment where issues and concerns can be raised without fear or favour. At the RCM we are supporting our members to stand up for higher standards, because ultimately if we work together, to nurture positive working cultures we can make maternity services safer.”
ENDS
To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- RCM welcomes new standards for maternity care in Wales – Royal College of Midwives
- Making Maternity Services Safer Nurturing Positive Cultures
- How to stand up for high standards – Royal College of Midwives
- Read more about the RCM’s Solution Series here
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team
