Stop, look, listen
Understanding what works – and what doesn’t – is vital when we are trying to influence positive change in the workplace. And the best way to do that, says Northern Ireland National Officer Anne Wilson, is by going out and seeing it for yourself. As an organisation, the RCM prides itself on being ‘by midwives […]
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
By Lynne Galvin, Regional Head for the North of England on 21 August 2024 Midwifery Midwives Clinical practice The RCM’s North of England team has spent the past few weekends at Pride marches across the region. Lynne Galvin, the RCM’s Regional Head for the North of England, explains why it’s been so important Over the […]
MIDIRS Monthly – Reflections on my journey from a registered midwife to a PhD midwifery researcher
When I started out on my PhD journey, I didn’t realise the impact in would have on my views of midwifery and the incredible work that midwives strive to achieve every day. I’ll start from the beginning. I graduated from my Midwifery degree in 2016 and started my career journey in a large tertiary, city […]
Embracing advanced practice in midwifery
The RCM’s Director of Professional Midwifery, Fiona Gibb, says that, with the need for improved career pathways, the time for advanced practice in midwifery has come. Earlier this year, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) announced plans to develop additional regulation for advanced practice nurses and midwives. This is a significant step towards ensuring that […]
Partnership not punishment
When done well, regulation can be a force for good. It supports staff by providing structure and guidance to practice and it supports services in a similar way around delivery. It also helps build confidence among service users in those delivering care, and where it is being delivered. However, when done poorly, or inconsistently, it […]
What the change in Westminster Government means for members in Scotland
What, if anything, does the change in Westminster government mean to our members in Scotland? Does the fact that there is now a Labour government in Westminster and that the fifty-seven Scottish seats in Westminster have become a Labour majority with thirty-seven seats and Scottish National Party (SNP) reduced to 9 change anything for us? […]
MIDIRS Opinion – How Hypnobirthing and a positive birth experience has inspired my fight against the media’s misrepresentations of childbirth
First-time mum Planned: Water birth at Assisted Midwife Unit (Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert) Actual: Dry land at Assisted Midwife Unit (Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert) Surprise baby girl Weight: 7lbs 4oz Due date: 6 March 2022 Birth date: 5 March 2022 Gestation: 39+6 I had a straightforward pregnancy – some acid reflux, the usual […]
Protection during pregnancy
As midwives, we do all we can to ensure that mother and baby are as healthy as possible during pregnancy and postnatally. One of the best parts of our armoury for doing that – and for setting baby up for life – is vaccination. RCM Professional Policy Advisor Clare Livingstone talks here about the current […]
A swift announcement on pay must be a priority for the new Government
In his first speech as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said the NHS was ‘broken’ and that it will take a team effort to turn it around. There is no NHS without its staff and addressing the retention crisis has to be a priority for the new government. […]
Change begins now
In the last of his election blogs, RCM Public Affairs Advisor Stuart Bonar sets out how the College will be holding the new Government to account – and making sure there is positive change in maternity services. Last night delivered an amazing, historic election result. Labour won over 400 seats in the House of Commons, […]