RCM statement on barring women in Afghanistan from midwifery education
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has made no secret of its intention to remove women from civic life. Since returning to power in 2021, they have imposed more and greater restrictions on women and girls, from taking away girls’ rights to education to taking away the voices of women and girls, literally, by forbidding them […]
RCM warns that reality does not meet ambition for Scottish maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives has today responded to the Auditor General’s NHS in Scotland 2024 report with caution, acknowledging the recognition from Government that prevention is key but adding that urgent action is needed to make the ambitions a reality. In general, the RCM supports the Auditor General’s report, which states the Scottish Government […]
Not once in a generation change, but a change for generations to come: RCM urges Government to be ambitious in its 10-year plan
The Royal College of Midwives has urged the Government to be ambitious for maternity care, as it submits its response to the consultation on the NHS 10-year plan. This, says the College, is an opportunity to reshape maternity services in England for the better, both for the women and families that access them and for […]
New figures show shock fall in number of UK-educated midwives joining NMC Register
New data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has revealed a shock fall in the number of UK-educated midwives who are joining the register. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has described the decrease of 12.5% as ‘significant’, given the understaffing challenges blighting maternity services. The RCM has been warning of the impact of […]
Encouraging improvements in maternity services, but still work to do says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the results of a national survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which shows that women’s experiences of maternity care are improving in some areas despite the challenges facing services and staff. The RCM says it’s pleased to see an increase in the levels of perinatal mental […]
‘Improving pay part of solution to recruitment and retention crisis,’ RCM tells Pay Review Body
‘Paying staff fairly and valuing the skilled work they do is an important part of the solution to the maternity staffing crisis.’ That’s what the RCM has told the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) this week, in its written evidence submission for the 2025/26 pay round for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The RCM is […]
Guernsey’s changing demographic could add complexity to maternity services, warns RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has praised the state of maternity services in Guernsey but has called on the Bailiwick to continue to invest in them so they continue to meet the needs of the island’s population. Releasing its Guernsey State of Maternity Services report today, the RCM has found that, although the number […]
Increased tuition fees will fuel shortage of midwives, warns RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned the Government that the increase of 3.1% in tuition fees, announced today, could exacerbate the existing crisis that is already seeing student midwives being forced out of their chosen career due to financial pressures. Although the uplift is matched with a 3.1% increase in maintenance loans, this […]
Latest CQC State of Care report must prompt urgent action, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has again called on the Government and NHS England to take urgent action to resolve and remedy the challenges faced by maternity services. The RCM was reacting to the Care Quality Commission’s latest State of Care report, released today. Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “So much […]
Action urgently needed to eliminate disparities in maternal health
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 […]