Midwives in Northern Ireland announce New Year strike action
Midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) across Northern Ireland are set to take to the picket lines again in the New Year. The announcement from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) comes as there has been no progress towards a fair and meaningful pay offer. The lack of a functioning Executive in Northern Ireland means […]
RCM urges ‘whole system approach’ to end the inequality gap in maternal mortality
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for a ‘whole system approach’ to address the higher rates of maternal deaths among Black and Asian women. The latest findings of the MBRRACE report, released today, show that although there was only a very small increase in the overall maternal death rate compared to 2016-18, there […]
Maternity staff fight for fairness and safety as they take to picket lines across Northern Ireland
Midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) across Northern Ireland will be taking to the picket lines this morning (22 September), as the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) takes strike action in frustration at the ongoing political stalemate. Karen Murray, Director of RCM Northern Ireland, said: “Six months ago, we paused strike action in good faith, […]
Invest in maternity services to invest in Scotland’s future, urges RCM
on 21 September 2023 RCM Maternity Services Midwifery Midwives Government NHS RCM Scotland Scotland Scottish Government Scottish Maternity Services Safety Safe high quality care Staffing Levels More investment is needed in Scotland’s maternity services as they come under increasing pressure from changes in the mental, physical and social health needs of pregnant women and families according to a new report from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). With […]
Midwifery education facing ‘unprecedented challenges’
on 13 September 2023 RCM Maternity Services Midwifery Midwives Government NHS Education Midwifery education facing ‘unprecedented challenges’ says the RCM The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is warning that plans to recruit and educate new midwives will be severely undermined unless substantial and sustained investment is made in midwifery education. The RCM’s State of Midwifery Education report highlights major challenges to the ambitions of […]
RCM responds to NMC report on midwifery and nursing
Today the Nursing and Midwifery Council have published a ‘Spotlight’ report on nursing and midwifery. The report found international professionals experiencing discrimination, inconsistent support for new recruits to the professions and recurring themes when maternity care goes wrong. Commenting on the report, Birte Harlev-Lam, Executive Director Midwife at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: “No […]
We must act and work together to make maternity care safe says RCM
We owe it to all women and families to make sure they get safe and high-quality maternity care, and we must act together and quickly to make this a reality. That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) commenting on the Government’s full response to the inquiry into maternity services at East Kent […]
RCM calls for more efforts to end discrimination in maternity and neonatal care
The RCM has committed to supporting midwives and maternity staff to deliver safer and better care for Black women and those from Asian and other ethnic communities. Its groundbreaking work on decolonising the midwifery curriculum will, it says, go some way to ensure that midwives are taught in a way that reflects the communities they […]
RCM calls for more efforts to end discrimination in maternity and neonatal care
The RCM has committed to supporting midwives and maternity staff to deliver safer and better care for Black women and those from Asian and other ethnic communities. Its groundbreaking work on decolonising the midwifery curriculum will, it says, go some way to ensure that midwives are taught in a way that reflects the communities they […]
RCM urges Government to take opportunity to improve maternity care
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is today offering a ‘health check’ on England’s maternity services with the publication of its State of Maternity Services report. It follows hot on the heels of the NHS long-term workforce plan which was welcomed by the RCM, and which will go some way to addressing the issues in […]