National Breastfeeding Week
By Clare Livingstone, Professional Policy Advisor on 27 June 2022 NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers NHS Unions Trade Unions Breastfeeding For National Breastfeeding Week (27 June to 3 July) the Royal College of Midwives (RCM)’s Professional Policy Advisor Clare Livingstone shares the importance of supporting women to breastfeed in the workplace. I would like […]
RCM Student Midwifery Forum launches midwifery societies poster competition
The Royal College of Midwives Student Midwifery Forum (SMF) has launched a competition inviting Midwifery Societies to submit abstracts that can be turned into a poster or infographic. The theme of this year’s RCM Annual Conference is ‘Recover, Reflect, Renew’. Midwifery Societies who wish to enter are asked to create an abstract that can be […]
There is power in a union and professional body
By Lynn Collins, Director of Field Services on 24 June 2022 NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers NHS Unions Trade Unions TUC As the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) strikes continue to capture media and public attention, Google searches for ‘join a union’ rises 184% and public sector workers put the […]
MIDIRS Midwifery Digest Hot Topic: Why are some voices not heard? Exploring how maternity care can be improved for women with limited English
Abstract There is a robust body of evidence, accumulated over the decades, which shows that limited English proficiency is a key factor associated with poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes. Our work as midwives and researchers has led us to believe that this is a complex, multi-dimensional issue, which we will explore in this article. We […]
The dad-shaped hole in NHS maternity services
By Dr Jeremy Davies, Head of Communications and Impact, Fatherhood Institute on 19 June 2022 NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Expectant fathers Becoming a father is the biggest physical and emotional challenge most men will ever experience. It can be the making of us – and how we respond to it can also be […]
Fuelling action: the NHS mileage scheme and the impact on members
By Director Employment Relations Alice Sorby on 31 May 2022 Pay Midwives NHS Pay Review Body NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Caring For You campaign Pay and Agenda For Change Race matters TUC Following latest announcements on the NHS mileage scheme and the rising cost of fuel and living, the Royal College of Midwives’ […]
Getting the right start in life
By Head of Health and Social Policy Sean O’Sullivan on 25 May 2022 Pay Midwives NHS Pay Review Body NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Caring For You campaign Pay and Agenda For Change Race matters TUC Last week the RCM’s Head of Health and Social Policy Sean O’Sullivan joined a Labour Party roundtable discussion […]
Collaboration, solidarity and equality
By Executive Director of Trade Union Suzanne Tyler on 25 May 2022 Pay Midwives NHS Pay Review Body NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Caring For You campaign Pay and Agenda For Change Race matters TUC As the TUC rally draws near, Executive Director of Trade Union Suzanne Tyler shares the five key focuses on […]
Monitoring May
Midwives NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Caring For You campaign Caring For You Charter Race matters Appropriate fetal monitoring during labour and birth is vital for the health and wellbeing of mother and baby alike. For Monitoring May, midwife and founder of the National Fetal Monitoring network Sarah Blackwell outlines the activities taking place […]
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week
Midwives NHS MSWs – Maternity Support Workers Caring For You campaign Caring For You Charter Race matters Perinatal mental health (PMH) is the principal term for mental ill health during pregnancy and the first postnatal year. It can be defined by either an existing mental health illness or a condition that arises during pregnancy or […]