The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Cymru has responded to the publication of the Maternity and Neonatal National Assurance Assessment — Paths to Safer Beginnings in Wales — calling for urgent action on staffing after the report identified critical vulnerabilities in services across Wales.
RCM’s Director for Wales, Julie Richards, said:
“This report echoes what midwives and maternity support workers across Wales have been telling us for some time. There is real compassion and commitment across our workforce but there are serious and urgent challenges that must now be addressed.
“Safe staffing is the foundation of safe care – you cannot deliver safe, high-quality maternity care without a workforce that is properly staffed, supported and resourced.
“Staffing shortages must be treated as an immediate safety issue and we are calling on the Welsh Government to address this urgently, with dedicated funding and a commitment to fully implement these recommendations.
“The right skill mix, proper support for newly qualified midwives and stronger backing for midwifery leaders are all essential to building a workforce that is safe and sustainable. With over 500 recommendations already made over the past decade, that investment cannot wait any longer.
“We stand ready to work in partnership with the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and partners because women, babies and the staff who care for them deserve nothing less than real, lasting change.”
