We are currently experiencing issues with i-learn which may affect your log in. Please check back again soon for updates.

Not good enough says RCM Scotland on Government pay offer

15 June, 2022

3 minutes read

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Scotland has responded to a pay offer of 5% for its members with anger and disappointment. The pay offer, which is well below inflation, is not enough to retain staff who have already had enough of years of pay increases that have not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living, the RCM says.

A recent RCM survey of midwives in Scotland has already shown how low morale is, with seven out of 10 midwives considering leaving the NHS. This, the RCM says, is alarming at a time when there is already a shortfall of midwives.

Today the RCM has said the Scottish Government’s pay offer to its members is not only an insult, but could be the final straw for those already considering leaving midwifery.

Commenting, Jaki Lambert, RCM’s Director for Scotland said: “The Government’s pay offer for our members is simply not good enough. It’s nowhere near what midwives and maternity staff deserve or need right now. Our members are struggling with the rising cost of living and 5% is not enough to counteract the increases in inflation. If they accept this offer, they will not see any real terms improvement in their pay from last year.

“We called on the Scottish Government for an inflation-proof pay rise so this offer will not cut it. We’ve also laid out the reasons why a decent pay increase was so desperately needed to also improve recruitment and retention challenges and to ensure more staff don’t head for the door.”

In the RCM’s recent survey only 2.5% of respondents felt that being a midwife was valued by the Scottish Government. The RCM says maternity services cannot be run on the cheap or the goodwill of its members. Midwives and maternity care assistants continue to plug the staffing gaps and work additional hours for no extra pay to keep services running safely in Scotland. This, the RCM says, is contributing to a catalogue of issues described in the survey including an exhausted and a fragile maternity workforce with morale at rock bottom.

Jaki added: “We know our members currently feel so undervalued, they feel their work and efforts to deliver good care in the face of many challenges is not being recognised by the Scottish Government. This pay offer will do nothing to alter that view. Midwives and MCAs should feel valued for their contribution to the current and future health of women and babies in Scotland. Instead, morale is the lowest I have ever seen it and this pay offer will no doubt further erode it even further.”

The RCM will now move to consult with its members in the coming weeks and are urging all members to have their say and respond to the consultation.

 

ENDS

 

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk

 

 

About the RCM

 

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team.

 

News

RCM press for progress on pay for members in Northern Ireland

2 minutes read

7 October, 2024

News

RCM welcomes pilot site phase of ABC programme to reduce brain injuries at birth

3 minutes read

7 October, 2024

Cookie options

Some of these cookies are necessary to make the site work. We’d also like to use optional cookies to help improve your experience on the site. You can manage your optional cookie preferences below. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences. Your preferences can be changed at any time.
For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.

Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used to collect and report information on how our website is used. This helps us to improve the website based on the needs and behaviour of our visitors.

Marketing Cookies

We use marketing cookies to help us improve the relevancy of advertising campaigns you receive.

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer

Royal College of Midwives uses cookies for website functionality purposes. For more information, please review our privacy notice or review the settings tab.