‘Keep vital maternity services open’ say RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called on local commissioners to rethink plans to close vital maternity and neonatal services at the Royal Free Hospital or the Whittington Hospital in North London. Under the current plans, one of the two maternity and services would close. The RCM along with midwives and maternity staff has […]
RCM calls to forgive student debt at TUC Women’s Conference
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today called on the Government to forgive student midwife debt and expand financial support for all healthcare students. The call comes in an RCM motion to the TUC Women’s Conference on the eve of International Women’s Day. A recent RCM survey found three-quarters of student midwives in England […]
RCM tells politicians how to fix the midwifery staffing crisis with new pre-election guide
‘Ending the national midwife shortage is possible,’ says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as it launches a new guide with solutions for the next UK Parliament. Low-cost solutions to improve working conditions for midwives, practical examples of how flexible working can work, and suggestions to improve education and student attrition rates are among the […]
Safe maternity services will be maintained say RCM on eve of strike
Urgent action needed to reduce truly shocking death rate for new mothers, says RCM
The Government must take urgent and prompt action to reverse the truly shocking rise in the number of women who died during or within six weeks of pregnancy, says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Figures released today by MBRRACE-UK show that the maternal death rate has reached levels not seen in over 20 years. […]
RCM CEO Gill Walton talks to BBC Five Live about workforce shortages
Gill Walton spoke to Naga Munchetty about the challenges faced by maternity staff and the impact on safety due to chronic workforce shortages.
Midwives in Northern Ireland announce New Year strike action
Midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) across Northern Ireland are set to take to the picket lines again in the New Year. The announcement from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) comes as there has been no progress towards a fair and meaningful pay offer. The lack of a functioning Executive in Northern Ireland means […]
RCM urges ‘whole system approach’ to end the inequality gap in maternal mortality
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for a ‘whole system approach’ to address the higher rates of maternal deaths among Black and Asian women. The latest findings of the MBRRACE report, released today, show that although there was only a very small increase in the overall maternal death rate compared to 2016-18, there […]
Maternity staff fight for fairness and safety as they take to picket lines across Northern Ireland
Midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) across Northern Ireland will be taking to the picket lines this morning (22 September), as the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) takes strike action in frustration at the ongoing political stalemate. Karen Murray, Director of RCM Northern Ireland, said: “Six months ago, we paused strike action in good faith, […]
Invest in maternity services to invest in Scotland’s future, urges RCM
on 21 September 2023 RCM Maternity Services Midwifery Midwives Government NHS RCM Scotland Scotland Scottish Government Scottish Maternity Services Safety Safe high quality care Staffing Levels More investment is needed in Scotland’s maternity services as they come under increasing pressure from changes in the mental, physical and social health needs of pregnant women and families according to a new report from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). With […]