The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has responded to the government’s Ten-Year Plan for services in England.
The RCM says it’s a ‘positive step forward’ that this government’s plan has acknowledged the current working culture in the NHS and the impact that has on the health and wellbeing of staff.
Describing the plan as ‘ambitious’ the College says its success will be defined by how the plan is delivered and is calling for more details on the delivery of the plan.
Equally, the RCM says it’s crucial that the delivery plans are developed in partnership with midwives, maternity staff and the women and families who have and are using maternity services.
Commenting, the RCM’s Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said:
“The RCM welcomes the publication of the of the Ten-Year Plan. It’s a wide reaching, ambitious plan which we are currently reviewing in depth at the RCM. It’s been published at a time when maternity services are struggling more than ever and just as a rapid review into maternity services has been announced. There is much to consider, about what the government’s plan in the long term will mean for midwives, maternity staff and the women and families that use maternity services across England. For now, it offers us hope. Hope that if government works closely and in partnership with the RCM and other key stakeholders there is an opportunity for positive change. However, for that to be achieved, we need a solid delivery plan, that engages all maternity staff and really considers their voices and experiences because at the end of the day it will be our members on the ground who will have to implement and drive the service improvements forward. Equally the voices of women and their families must be central to this as well.”
The government has said this plan aims to ‘address a deterioration in the health of the nation’. The RCM says maternity services are instrumental to this, as they are the front door to the NHS. For many women, pregnancy gives them their first major interaction with the NHS. If we can get their care right and ensure women and their babies are leaving maternity services whole, healthy and happy the NHS could potentially save millions of pounds on the future health of women and their children.
Gill added
“Just yesterday we had confirmation from the Office of National Statistics that Births in England are on the rise this will undoubtedly put more pressure on services that are already struggling with understaffing and safety issues. So, it’s never been more important the government gets the delivery of this plan and the rapid review into maternity services right. They owe this to staff who have held together our understaffed maternity services, who have stayed, despite the pressures and continue to strive to deliver the best care they can, despite a system that at times is against them. They also owe it to every single family who has experienced poor care. The RCM stands ready to support, advise and hold the government to account on their promises in this plan.”
ENDS
For interview requests or to contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
- Not once in a generation change, but a change for generations to come: RCM urges Government to be ambitious in its 10-year plan – Royal College of Midwives
- Read the RCM’s full consultation submission to NHS 10-year health plan here
- UK needs to invest in healthy beginnings; RCM tells UK governments – Royal College of Midwives
- RCM welcomes renewed focus on maternity safety as Secretary of State announces rapid review – Royal College of Midwives
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.
