Thousands of midwives and maternity support workers sign letter to Health Secretary

By Rachel Burn

13 April, 2026

2 minutes read

More than 5,500 Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members have added their voice to a joint call from NHS workers for fair pay and fair pay structure, underlining the strength of feeling and determination from the midwifery community. 

The joint open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care calls for the government to make improvements to its 3.3% pay award by committing meaningful funding towards structural pay reform negotiations on the NHS agenda for change pay structure. 

The RCM says the response from its members shows the power of a united profession speaking up for change. 

Emma Jenkinson, Director for Employee Relations at the RCM, said: “To see so many midwives and maternity support workers add their name to this open letter is a powerful statement. 

“It shows just how strongly our profession feels about how they are valued, and the urgent need for change.” 

The RCM is one of 14 health unions representing more than a million health workers. All are united in warning that the 3.3% award fails to keep pace with the cost of living, does nothing to recover more than a decade of lost pay and does not address the pay disparity faced by those on Agenda for Change contracts in recent years. 

The joint open letter calls on the Government to go further on pay and deliver a commitment to meaningful funding for structural pay reform negotiations so that pay reflects the skill, responsibility and dedication of NHS staff. 

Read more: 

This is the Government’s last chance to improve on its inadequate 3.3% award: sign the joint open letter to Wes Streeting – Royal College of Midwives 

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