RCM statement on Chancellor’s commitment to recruit 2,000 more midwives
Following today’s Autumn Statement, the Royal College of Midwives has given a cautious welcome to the commitment by the Government to recruit 2,000 more midwives in England. Dr Suzanne Tyler, Executive Director Trade Union at the RCM, said: “The RCM has been telling anyone who will listen – including Jeremy Hunt in his previous roles […]
Act on pay and help the NHS, staff and patients, say health unions
Unions representing more than a million staff working across the NHS have today (Tuesday) met with health secretary Steve Barclay to discuss the growing workforce crisis. At the Westminster meeting this morning, the unions made clear that without urgent government action on wages, experienced health workers would continue to quit their jobs, and the NHS struggle to […]
Government must act now to reverse rise in maternal deaths, says RCM
The ‘statistically significant’ increase in maternal deaths reported today by MBRRACE-UK is a tragic indication of a lack of Government investment in maternity services, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Many of the deaths cited in the report are linked to mental health issues and although improving there are continuing inequalities in outcomes […]
Scotland’s midwives vote yes to industrial action over pay
Midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) across Scotland have overwhelmingly voted yes on taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the Scottish Government’s ‘insulting’ pay offer. Smashing through the Government imposed ballot threshold, the result comes after the RCM ballot on pay closed earlier […]
‘Deeply insulting’ says the RCM on revised Scotland NHS pay offer
Scotland’s revised pay offer to midwives and maternity support workers (MSW) announced today is disappointing and deeply insulting says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The RCM is calling for the Scottish Government to rethink its position on pay and to put a meaningful pay offer on the table. Late yesterday the Scottish Government made […]
We must work together to fix maternity care, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has urged swifter progress to fix the systemic problems facing maternity care. The call comes following the publication by Dr Bill Kirkup CBE of his review of the failings at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. Birte Harlev-Lam, Executive Director Midwife at the RCM, said: “Every woman should feel that […]
Staffing and funding for maternity bereavement services ‘a scandal’ says the RCM at TUC Congress
Significant and urgent Investment is needed to tackle serious staff shortages and underfunding in maternity service bereavement care. That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in a motion to the TUC Congress tomorrow. Around 1 in 5 pregnancies result in a miscarriage or stillbirth, yet services and support for bereaved women and […]
Impact of social and ethnic inequalities clear in latest MBRRACE-UK report says RCM
‘The highest stillbirth rates continue to impact women living in the most deprived communities where social inequalities are entrenched.’ That’s according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as it responds to the latest MBRRACE-UK PMRT report. The college says while it’s positive to see a drop in perinatal death rates variation sadly persists based […]
RCM to consult members in Northern Ireland on appetite for industrial action
“If no pay award was implemented, would you be prepared to take industrial action?” That’s one of the questions the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will ask its members in Northern Ireland next week when it launches a formal consultation on pay. The RCM says its ‘deeply frustrated’ and its ‘completely unfair’ that hardworking midwives […]
RCM urges members in England and Wales to vote YES to industrial action as ballot date announced
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today launched only its second ballot on industrial action in England and its first in Wales in its 142 year history. The College, which represents most midwives and also maternity support workers (MSWs) in the UK, is calling on its members to vote yes to industrial action over […]