The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has again called on the Government and NHS England to take urgent action to resolve and remedy the challenges faced by maternity services. The RCM was reacting to the Care Quality Commission’s latest State of Care report, released today.
Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said:
“So much attention is – rightly – given to waiting lists in the NHS. But there are no waiting lists in maternity so, time and time again, we get shunted to the back of the queue. The issues raised are years, decades, in the making and, as the report says: ‘the review of maternity services shows that women and babies are still not receiving the high-quality maternity care they deserve’.
“We have too few staff who are stretched too thin, with too little time to provide the care women need, and buildings that aren’t fit for purpose, where you can barely fit the women and the staff in, never mind the equipment needed. This report is an opportunity to say ‘enough’ and to get on with the business of fixing the problems not only that we know are there, but that we know how to fix.”
The report highlights the paucity of perinatal mental health support, something the RCM has been pushing the NHS to address, setting out its proposals for positive change in its perinatal mental health roadmap, published last year.
Once again, the inequalities of outcome for Black and Asian women have been highlighted, something the RCM says must be addressed without further delay.
Gill said:
“Just this week, the RCM published its own ‘statement of intent’ to address some of the systemic issues which put women from the global majority at risk. How we teach and practise midwifery has a huge role to play in eliminating these disparities, and we must all work in partnership to make this change happen.”
ENDS
To contact the RCM media office call 020 7312 3456 or email media@rcm.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
- Read the RCM’s new position statement on Decolonising Midwifery here
- Read the RCM’s Perinatal mental Health Roadmaphere
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 website www.rcm.org
