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 […]
Royal College of Midwives welcomes appointment of Baroness Amos as chair of maternity and neonatal rapid review – but urges Health Secretary to pick up the pace
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the announcement of Baroness Valerie Amos as chair of the review of maternity and neonatal safety, announced by the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care in June. However, the College’s reaction is tempered by frustration of the pace of the so-called rapid review. Gill Walton, […]
RCM backs faster midwife access – but warns against widening inequalities
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed a new NHS England initiative that allows women to use an online tool to refer themselves to their local maternity services – cutting out the need to see a GP first. It aims to speed up access to crucial booking in appointments and has already been used […]
RCM champions Welsh language in maternity services at National Eisteddfod
Using Welsh in maternity services can transform birth experiences – improving outcomes for women and families. That’s the message the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is taking to the National Eisteddfod on Friday 8 August, as it hosts a morning of discussion focused on the vital role of the Welsh language in maternity services. The […]
The bravery of RCM members, always shining through
RCM Chief Executive Gill Walton shares her reflections on our 2025 conference, and the meaning of bravery in maternity services and midwifery education RCM Conference is always a whirlwind. There’s so much going on and so many people to say hello to. It was good to have a bank holiday this time and good to […]
RCM calls on CQC to seek partnership, not punishment, in regulation
CQC – Care Quality Commission RCM Maternity Services Safety Safe high quality care The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for a new approach in hospital inspections, following an apology from the Interim Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the implementation of their new regulatory approach. In an open letter published this week, Kate Terroni […]
We must have a strategy to fix Northern Ireland’s growing maternity crisis, says RCM
on 30 May 2023 RCM Maternity Services Midwifery Midwives Northern Ireland Director For Northern Ireland Midwife Shortage Older Mothers Diabetes Safe high quality care Safety Staffing Levels State of Maternity Services Report Student midwives Women Women’s Choice Maternity Safety maternity care assistant The need for a maternity strategy in Northern Ireland has gone beyond urgent and is now critical says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The RCM’s warning comes as it publishes […]
Implementation of non-pay elements of 2023 deal secured for Scotland members
In a significant win for its members in Scotland the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced that its secured agreement and implementation of outstanding non pay elements of the 2023 negotiations. RCM calls for a reduction in the working week have been accepted. The first of three staggered 30-minute reductions in the full-time working […]
Breast feeding workers
When you work in maternity services, people would understandably expect your workplace to be the one of the most supportive around all things pregnancy and breastfeeding. Yet a recent RCM survey of health and safety reps found this to be very far from the truth. As midwives and MSWs, we all know the scientific evidence […]
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 […]