The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the launch of a Health and Wellbeing guide for staff in NHS Wales.
Supporting both the physical and mental health of staff is crucial, the RCM says, to ensuing the delivery of safe high quality maternity care for women and their families in Wales.
The Best Practice Guide for NHS Wales was launched today by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has been created to help improve the health and wellbeing of midwives, Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) and all healthcare staff in Wales. The move has been welcomed by the RCM in Wales, and reflects the commitment shown by all seven NHS Boards to the College’s Caring for You Charter.
Commenting RCM’s Director for Wales, Julie Richards said:
“We know healthy, well cared for and well led staff can provide safer and better levels of care, so the RCM welcomes the launch of this new guide. The RCM’s Caring for You initiative has this ethos at its core, so having these two initiatives working in tandem can only be a good thing for staff. Midwives and MSWs in Wales everyday strive to deliver the best care the can, often in the face of many challenges such as understaffing. Working in a service that is under resourced can leave staff, physically burnt out and fragile. That is why everything possible must be done to support our members to do their jobs to the best of their ability.”
The RCM says ensuring basic measures such as adequate rest breaks, access to water and putting in place appropriate staff cover to enable staff to have their full meal breaks was the initial ethos of the RCM’s Caring for You Campaign launched in 2016. The campaign also included a Charter which the RCM asked employers in Wales to commit to six key asks, some of which also included promoting a positive, inclusive culture where staff feel valued and respected.
The RCM says its pleased that all seven Health Boards with maternity services in Wales have now signed its Charter, with Swansea Bay, and Aneurin Bevan being the latest services to reconfirm their pledges to the RCM’s campaign to improve wellbeing for its members in their workplaces in Wales.
ENDS
For interview requests and to contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Health, safety and wellbeing support for RCM members
- RCM Caring for You campaign
- The launch of the Staff Health and Wellbeing – A Best Practice Guide for NHS Wales
- Best Practice Guide for Organisations – Gwella HEIW Leadership Portal for Wales
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.
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.
