The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has praised the state of maternity services in Guernsey but has called on the Bailiwick to continue to invest in them so they continue to meet the needs of the island’s population.

Releasing its Guernsey State of Maternity Services report today, the RCM has found that, although the number of women using the services has remained stable, the profile of mothers has changed. Not only are they twice as likely to be aged 30 or older but they are also more likely to be overweight or obese compared to just a few years ago.

Julie Richards, RCM Director for Wales and the Channel Islands, said:

“More women are choosing to start a family later, including in Guernsey where the age profile of women in pregnancy has increased. This, alongside raised Body Mass Index (BMI) among increasing numbers of women, brings with it added complexity during pregnancy. Making sure that the island’s maternity service has the right skills mix, and the right number of midwives, to adapt to these changes is imperative. The RCM wants to see continued commitment from the Bailiwick to invest in maternity services in Guernsey to meet these needs.”

Guernsey also supports labour and birth for pregnant women living on Alderney, 20 miles from Guernsey, which adds to the complexity of the service.

The report found that the midwifery workforce has a good age profile and skills balance, with as many midwives aged in their early forties or younger as there are midwives older than that. In addition, the number of midwives working in Guernsey remains steady, at or just under 30 in each year since 2020, but the Government needs to do more to understand the reasons why maternity staff sometimes choose to leave the island, according to the RCM.

Guernsey currently offers rent allowances and bonuses to midwives in the first four years of employment. However, three-quarters of those who left the workforce in the five years to March 2024 did so after working as a midwife locally for five years or less, indicating that accommodation costs may be a barrier to living and working on the island for longer.

Julie said:

“If the demographic changes that we are already witnessing continue, the service may need to work harder in the future to meet these demands. It is vital, therefore, that the Bailiwick invests in midwifery, ensuring that the island continues to have enough experienced midwives who are able to spend time with women to have the conversations that make the difference.”

ENDS

To contact the RCM media office call 020 7312 3456 or email media@rcm.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

• The RCM’s Guernsey State of Maternity Service report can be found 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 website www.rcm.org