A sense of connection
My elective placement week offered a unique window into the professional, political, and strategic work that underpins midwifery at a national level. It was a week that challenged me, inspired me, and gave me a deeper appreciation for the wider role of professional organisations in shaping the future of midwifery. I attended a variety of […]
Big changes for NHS Wales Maternity Support Workers – here’s what you need to know
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has been advocating for fairer pay for Bands 2 and 3 Maternity Support Workers in Wales. Vicky Richards, the RCM’s National Officer for Wales, explains what’s changing – and what you need to do if it affects you. If you’re a maternity support worker (MSW) in Wales, you might […]
Bereavement midwives are incredible – they help us embrace pregnancies after loss instead of enduring it
For Rainbow Baby Awareness Week, Rachel Burn, Media Relations Officer at the Royal College of Midwives, shares her personal story of pregnancy after loss – and the vital role her bereavement midwife played in helping her navigate it. When I saw a faint line on a pregnancy test, I had a panic attack. My husband […]
Green, green grass? The situation for newly-qualified midwives in Wales
As newly-qualified midwives across the UK continue searching for their first midwifery job, the situation differs across the nations. The RCM’s Director of Midwifery, Fiona Gibb, looks at what’s happening in Wales While newly-qualified midwives across the UK are facing a tough job market, the picture in Wales is slightly different. Thanks to the Welsh […]
Building the foundations: supporting Breastmilk Feeding for Infants in Foster Care
“She said my breastmilk was not safe for my baby” “They said my baby did not like my milk” “They say my baby is upset after drinking my milk” “He said I was making too much milk” These quotes represent mothers who are desperate for support to breastfeed their babies who have been removed into […]
Supporting Newly Qualified Midwife employment: What the RCM is doing
The end of your midwifery degree should be a time for celebration, but we know that, it’s an increasingly anxious one. We’re hearing from final year students across the country that jobs simply aren’t available for when they qualify. The recent RCM survey shed light on just how many midwifery graduates are worried about securing […]
What the 10-year plan means for maternity services
Last week saw the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care unveil their ambitious 10-year plan for England’s NHS, though we may have to wait a little longer to know what the future holds for maternity services. The plan, Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, has been […]
Student Midwives: Win a FREE Annual MIDIRS Subscription
Are you a student midwife passionate about staying up to date with the latest in maternity and infant care? We’ve got exciting news! We’re giving away a free annual subscription to MIDIRS – your go-to resource for the latest research and support throughout your studies and beyond. For a chance to win, simply fill in […]
Changes to newborn bloodspot screening
Have you ever wondered why we don’t screen for more newborn conditions or why it takes so long to add new conditions? I certainly used to. Until last summer, when I joined the Newborn Blood Spot (NBS) Advisory Group and the Board for the severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) in-service evaluation, I did too. Now […]
Latest NMC report reveals concerning snapshot of why midwives are leaving the register
While it’s positive news that the number of midwives on the register has increased overall, the increase in new registrants joining the register is on the decline. Heather Bower RCM’s Head of Midwifery Education explains why in her latest blog. This week, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published its annual report about the […]