Midwives unable to complete crucial training further highlights need to address midwife shortage

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said findings that show midwives are undertaking training in their own time further shows the impact that midwife shortages are causing to staff across NHS maternity services. A survey by baby loss charity Sands published today has found that most midwives across 117 UK health Trusts and Boards […]

Need to increase efforts to reduce smoking in pregnancy says RCM

Reducing smoking in pregnancy is a key driver in reducing stillbirth rates and more effort is needed to keep pushing smoking rates down says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). This comes as the Khan report into tobacco control is published today. The RCM contributed evidence to the report which outlines fifteen recommendations to have the […]

Midwife numbers now lower than at the last general election says RCM

 New monthly NHS workforce figures for England analysed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) have revealed that the number of midwives in England is now lower than at the time of the last general election. These latest figures are in fact worse than the previous NHS workforce report, published last month and show a […]

RCM Chief Exec warns MPs of ‘fragile’ maternity workforce

Without greater efforts to retain existing staff and recruit new ones, the maternity workforce will remain fragile. That was the stark warning to MPs yesterday by Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Chief Executive Gill Walton. The warning came as Gill gave evidence to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee which is […]

RCM calls for re-doubling of efforts to end racism in the NHS

Safe and high-quality maternity care is the right of all women but for too many this is not the case because of the colour of their skin says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The RCM statement comes as a report into racial injustice and human rights in UK maternity care is published today by […]

Falling NHS midwife numbers show worrying trend says the RCM

Despite an overall increase In the number of midwives on its register the Nursing and Midwifery Council – the UK midwifery regulator – has in a report today raised concerns about the numbers leaving. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) echoes its concerns and says the number of midwives working in the NHS is also falling […]