RCM warns of worsening maternity crisis as senior midwife survey shows services at boiling point
The maternity crisis we warned about is here. That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as a survey of UK senior midwives says they are relying significantly on the goodwill of staff working extra hours to ensure safe services. The finding comes from a survey of directors and heads of midwifery (DoM/HoM) […]
Midwives announce dates for strike action in Wales
Midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) working in the NHS in Wales will take strike action from 8am to 4pm on 7 February. They will also be taking industrial action short of a strike by claiming payment for any overtime worked in the week following strike action. […]
Midwives in Northern Ireland to be balloted on industrial action
Midwives and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) working in Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland are to be balloted on industrial action over pay. The ballot opens on 31 January running until 7 March. The move to a ballot follows a consultation in November about the […]
RCM cites ‘cautious optimism’ on pay following Scottish Government meeting
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said it is cautiously optimistic that its calls for a decent pay deal can be met by the Scottish Government. At a meeting yesterday (12 January), the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Humza Yousaf, told the RCM that the Scottish Government is […]
RCM continues with plans for industrial action following meeting with Welsh Health Minister
Earlier today the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and other health unions met with the Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan to discuss issues around NHS pay. Following the meeting Vicky Richards, RCM National Officer for Wales, said: “We welcome the engagement of the Welsh Government with the RCM and other unions to try to find a […]
Scottish Government imposes pay award, despite midwives’ rejection
Strike action by midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) may still take place in Scotland, after the Scottish Government announced its intention to impose a pay award on health staff in Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care, Humza Yousaf, told union leaders in Scotland that the award would be imposed, after three […]
RCM rejects latest pay offer from the Scottish Government
Members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) have voted resoundingly to reject the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government. Almost two-thirds (65%) of members voted against accepting the latest pay offer which – while offering welcome improvement for early career midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) – did little to improve the take-home […]
RCM calls for face-to-face talks with Health Secretary
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today called on Health Secretary Steve Barclay to meet with frontline maternity staff to help him understand their frustration. The call comes a day after a ballot for industrial action among midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) in England fell agonisingly short of the Government-imposed turnout threshold. In […]
Midwives in Wales vote yes to industrial action
In a clear and defiant message to the Welsh Government, midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) have voted yes to taking industrial action over pay. In the ballot that closed yesterday over 95.14% voted for industrial action short of a strike, based on a turnout of 55.39% […]
‘This changes nothing’ says RCM as 4% pay award implemented in Northern Ireland
The inadequate pay award for midwives, maternity supports workers (MSW), and their HSC colleagues will do nothing to reduce their frustration. That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) responding to the announcement that the 4% pay award for HSC staff is to be implemented in Northern Ireland. The RCM – who represent […]