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 […]
MuM-PreDICT Delphi Survey: Core outcome set for studies of pregnant women with two or more long-term health conditions

Researchers at the University of Birmingham are now accepting participants for their Delphi Survey on core outcome sets for studies of pregnant women with two or more long-term health conditions. The survey is part of the Multimorbidity and pregnancy: determinants, clusters, consequences, and trajectories MuM-PreDICT research group. As well as pregnant women, researchers would like […]
RCM research MSW pay banding and job evaluation

By Alice Sorby, RCM Employment Relations Advisor on 26 November 2019 During MSW week 2018 the RCM held a series of study days for Maternity Support Workers. At these events MSWs were consistently asking us if we thought it was ‘ok’ that they were carrying out certain tasks and responsibilities whilst being paid at a […]
