On the buses
There are some NHS Trusts which are neat and tidy and all pretty much on one site – and there are others, like mine, that have different sites spread over a wide geographical area. When you’ve got to move between sites, as many staff and patients do, having a reliable transport service is vital. At […]
All aboard
With applications for self-nominations to the RCM Board open, our current Chair, Barbara Kuypers, tells us about the privilege to help steer the College, and what it brings to her professional life. Being part of the Royal College of Midwives is special. For some, membership begins as a student, for some it’s when they enter […]
You’re hired!
It’s been five years since the introduction of midwifery apprenticeships in England, and I’m really proud to say that the RCM was one of the early champions of this route into the profession. The first Registered Midwife Degree Apprenticeship (RMDA) programme started at the University of Greenwich in January 202. Since then, another 11 RMDA […]
MPs to debate maternity services: let’s work together to get your voice heard
We are committed to amplifying your voice, to ensure your stories and experiences are heard by politicians and decision-makers. To make it happen, though, we need your help. Later this month, Westminster MPs will meet in Parliament and spend an hour and a half debating maternity services in England. They will be able to raise […]
Advocating for Midwifery Educators: The Case for Joint Union Membership with RCM and UCU or EIS
Midwifery educators have a truly unique role, blending the worlds of professional practice and academia. Balancing midwifery expertise with the demands of education can be tricky, especially with workforce shortages, shifting policies, and financial pressures. That’s why, during this Heart Unions week, we’re excited to highlight the benefits of joint trade union membership and launch […]
International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM: A Call to Action for Midwives
On February 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM midwife Jenny Rose Viera writes of her hope that midwifery educators partner with survivors to include more comprehensive training on FGM in midwifery courses and what practicing midwives can do to better support FGM survivors in their care. Globally, over 200 million girls and women […]
Discussing the RSV vaccine and other vaccinations during pregnancy
As new data is published on the uptake of the RSV vaccine among pregnant women, Clare Livingstone the RCM’s Professional Advisor for Policy and Public Health looks at the role midwives are playing in the rollout of this vaccine Midwives play a vital role in public health, providing care for women, their babies and families. When it comes […]
By your side
Throughout my career, the RCM has been by my side. I’ve worked in different settings, both in overseas development and within the UK, and at various levels within and outside of the NHS. Throughout my various career choices, the College has been a constant professional companion. Now I’m chair of the RCM Board, something I’m […]
Learning from national anti-D incidents
Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) has released a new safety notice focussing on the safe and timely administration of anti-D immunoglobulin (Ig) during the perinatal period. SHOT is the UK’s independent, professional-led haemovigilance scheme. Adverse events and information relating to the transfusion of blood and blood components, including anti-D Ig, are anonymously reported to SHOT […]
A look behind the headlines on Scotland’s maternity services
After a week of more news headlines on the safety of Scotland’s maternity services RCM’s Director for Scotland Jaki Lambert discusses the reality behind the headlines. No midwife or maternity care assistant (MCA) wants to see headlines about women and families not receiving the care they need. Yet this week that’s sadly what we’ve seen, […]