Midwives in South Tyneside and Sunderland are being balloted on industrial action over proposals for on call arrangements that would see them being ‘on call’ on their days off.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has described the proposals as ‘unsafe and grossly unfair’ which would effectively see midwives having their on call working hours extended, eating in to their much-needed days off. In effect, this would mean midwives being on call for an additional 18 days a year. The union said it had no choice but to ballot its members on industrial action having failed to reach a reasonable agreement with the Trust following a formal consultation and talks over the past two years.
The proposed plans which South Tyneside and Sunderland Trust is pushing to implement by 1 September would impact 125 midwives who are being asked to be on call on a non-working day to cover the maternity unit during times of increased activity.
The RCM said alternative models for on call arrangements put forward by its representatives have not been considered and it’s been left with no other choice but to ballot its members. The RCM has also offered reassurances to women and their families using local services that their care will not be compromised or impacted by the results of this ballot.
Commenting, RCM’s Head for North of England, Lynne Galvin said:
“While we recognise the need for maternity services in South Tyneside and Sunderland to have robust escalation plans in place to deal with periods of increased demands on their services, this can’t be achieved safely by asking our members to cover on call rota arrangements on their rest days. Many of our members are already working beyond their contracted hours to keep services open and running safely. Understaffing is taking its toll on members’ physical and mental health and forcing them to be on call when they should be resting is a step too far. The RCM has put forward alternative plans to the employer, but they have not been considered as they should have been. Regretfully, we have been left with no other choice but to ballot our members on industrial action.”
One midwife told the RCM that staff are ‘already looking to leave’ the Trust as they aren’t being listened to on a range of issues. She said: “I’m concerned for the safety of the women in our care as staff will be even more burnt out in doing extra on call hours on top of our normal hours and this could increase the chance of errors.”
Another member said: “I’m just not happy to work more hours on top of already working full time hours. It’s going to impact my mental health even further.”
The RCM said the proposals lack any consideration for the work-life balance of its hardworking members, particularly for those who have families, caring responsibilities and those who may need to arrange additional hours childcare at a cost to them.
Another midwife who wished to remain anonymous said: “As a single mother, the additional on calls hours the Trust I feel is forcing us to do I use that time to support my family and be with my children. Moreover, if my on-call hours increase from what I am already doing it will cause issues for me with childcare arrangements, and I will have extra childcare costs if I do get called out. I work the hours I do for a reason do not want to work anymore.”
Lynne Galvin added:
“It’s regretful that it took The Trust took so long to consult with our members in any meaningful way about the proposed changes to acute on call arrangements and they’ve paid no heed to the impact that would have them professionally and personally. Day in, day out, our members are striving to deliver good maternity care, often in the face of challenges around understaffing. This entire process has understandably made staff feel undervalued and has impacted morale. At a time when Trusts should be doing all they can to support staff to deliver the safety improvements that are needed, is it any wonder so many of our members are looking for the door?”
Affected members will have received their ballot papers over the past week and have been asked: ‘are you willing to take strike action and are you willing to take action short of a strike’.
The RCM has been clear with its members and wishes to reassure women using services in the locality that it’s not asking staff to walk out on their normal rostered hours and say that the only intended action through a successful ballot will only be for its members to not undertake the on-call arrangements.
ENDS
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NOTES TO EDITORS
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.
