Expressing shock and sorrow at the unacceptable disparities and maternal outcomes for Black, Asian and minority ethnic women is not enough: we all must act. This is the call from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as it launches Decolonising Midwifery Practice. The position statement sets out what is needed to support maternity services and midwives to deliver more culturally competent care and address inequalities.

Decolonising Midwifery Practice follows the RCM’s Decolonising Midwifery Education toolkit which launched in 2023 and aimed to ensure the midwifery curriculum educates midwives to provide outstanding and safe care to those from all backgrounds.

The RCM says governments across the UK must also urgently act to develop and lead a strategy and target to tackle existing disparities.

Commenting on the statement, RCM Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said:

“It should not be the case in twenty-first century Britain that these inequalities exist. That Black and Asian women are at greater risk is a disgrace, we now need to take action based on the evidence that is well known and work together to truly tackle these shocking disparities. The RCM is focusing on decolonising both the education and practice of midwives and all maternity staff because we believe, with the recommendations in this statement, the positive change we urgently need to see can happen. This requires a multi-agency approach. We also need specialist midwives in the right places to provide that specialist support and care that women from majority ethnic backgrounds so often need.”

Decolonising Midwifery Practice includes practical recommendations for NHS Trusts and Boards on updating guidelines and ensuring that local policies are inclusive and reflective of varying skin tones and cultures. This includes providing advice on detecting jaundice and cyanosis in babies with varying skin tones.

The RCM has also recommended ring-fenced investment for NHS interpreting and translating services and to allow for additional time for midwife appointments.

Gill added:

“Crucially the lived experience of women and their families must be at the centre of the drive to tackle existing disparities once and for all. We must really listen to them, learn from mistakes, share good practice and support our hardworking staff as we strive to make improvements together. The new Westminster Government said that they want to make this a priority. This work is already a priority for the RCM, and we are ready to work with them to make the urgent changes we need to see.”

ENDS

For interview requests and to contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Read the RCM’s new position statement here Decolonising practice in midwifery – Royal College of Midwives
• RCM seeks to widen the lens in midwifery education to address colonialism in maternity – Royal College of Midwives
• More on the RCM’s Maternity Disadvantage Assessment Tool (MatDAT) RCM launches tool to tackle high levels of maternity disadvantage – Royal College of Midwives
• RCM – Racism in the workplace