As I reflect on my journey as a Health and Safety Representative, I can see how far I have come, even when the steps have felt small. Small changes can lead to powerful transformations, and health and safety roles create safer, more supportive environments.
It’s not without its challenges, yet, through it all, I have found my voice. I have stopped silently absorbing the pressure to do the impossible and started pushing back – claiming my hours, challenging unrealistic demands, and speaking up for myself and my colleagues.
I am not just fighting for fair pay or manageable workloads. I am fighting for a culture where midwives are valued for their skill, dedication, and humanity – not just their ability to absorb pressure without breaking.
Truly making a difference in the workplace isn’t just about raising concerns or highlighting risks – it’s about understanding the laws that protect us as workers. Understanding our rights gives us the confidence to stand up and say, this is not fair or this is unacceptable. It means knowing that the law backs our right to work in a safe environment, be paid fairly for our time, and to speak up without fear of retaliation.
True cultural change can not happen through policy and compliance alone – it needs to be built on support from every level, from frontline staff to management. It takes time, persistence, and the courage to push back.
Fear can be one of the strongest currents holding back change. It drives poor behaviour and is a reminder of how quickly toxic attitudes can spread if left unchecked, creating a disconnect between frontline staff and management that deepens mistrust and isolation. For me, changing the culture has meant refusing to let this kind of fear define my actions.
But it is not just fighting for my own rights. It is about lifting my colleagues, building a sense of shared purpose, and refusing to be shut out of conversations that affect our day-to-day reality. When we stand together, when we challenge the fear and the behaviours it creates, we start to change the narrative.
I believe in a future where midwives are valued for their skill, dedication, and humanity – not just their ability to absorb pressure without breaking. That change starts with small actions, small conversations, and small steps toward a better culture.
The journey toward a healthier workplace culture is not just about surviving the storm, it’s about learning to ride the waves with confidence and purpose. Health and safety cannot be an afterthought, squeezed in around unrealistic targets and endless pressures. They must be the foundation, the core of how we work and support each other.
Health and safety are not just about reducing incidences or ticking boxes. They are about creating environments where people feel respected, valued, and safe to speak up. They are about refusing to be pulled under by fear or silenced by blame, and instead, finding the strength to push back, to challenge unfair practices, and to demand better.
The Ockenden Review of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust emphasised the need for a well-staffed, trained workforce and a culture that supports safety and accountability. The Royal College of Midwives’ Caring for You campaign aims to improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of midwives. This initiative recognises that a healthy workforce is essential for delivering high quality maternity care. It’s crucial to keep health and safety at the centre of our work. By prioritising safety and wellbeing, we not only protect ourselves and our work colleagues, but also enhance the care we provide to women and families.
Together, we are building a culture where midwives are valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, creating a stronger, safer, and more sustainable future for everyone.
