Ystafell mamau
Across Wales, progress is being made to better support employees returning to work after maternity leave, particularly those who are breastfeeding. Midwives and maternity support workers know how essential breastfeeding support is for families, yet many healthcare staff still face unnecessary barriers when navigating their own return to employment. RCM Cymru, alongside All Wales Infant […]
All the help you need
RCM activist Hannah Beardmore’s branch Doncaster and Bassetlaw has won two RCM activist awards – one for an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) campaign, which celebrates an outstanding campaign or event that has championed fairness, representation and inclusion, and one for a branch learning event or campaign, which recognises an exceptional commitment to education, skills […]
Proud to be…
In the run-up to International Day of the Midwife in May, the RCM launched the #proudtobe campaign to celebrate midwives, maternity support workers (MSWs), student midwives and maternity educators across the UK. It’s a bold campaign that recognises the unity of maternity teams and the strength of individuals, and its relevance extends far beyond a […]
Civility saves lives
RCM’s Safe Staffing = Safe Care campaign has never been more poignant. In the RCM’s flash membership survey, 65% of maternity staff said they have considered leaving due to poor staffing levels and 39% are experiencing a poor workplace culture. When units are understaffed, chronic exhaustion sets in. In this high-pressure environment, people are unlikely […]
In conversation
It is a peer-to-peer support initiative connecting midwives who are applying for major research grants with past funding award winners. It offers informal, voluntary advice and up to three hours of guidance for mentees to strengthen their applications. “I found it particularly helpful that you can plan to use the three hours in a way that […]
“I could hear her fighting my corner”
In May, Labour MP Michelle Welsh was appointed as the government’s first maternity advisor. At the heart of the Department of Health, with a seat on the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, it is a uniquely powerful position to fight for change. A relentless campaigner, Michelle chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Maternity. Even before […]
Reasons for hope
For all our community in Scotland, let’s take a moment to reflect on the maternity inspections. While recognising that they can feel challenging for all involved, it’s positive that our community is being heard loud and clear! For too long getting midwifery heard has felt like an uphill battle – that is changing and brings […]
Graduate jobs
Fiona Gibb RCM director of midwifery Report after report cites understaffing as a factor in safe care, and midwives consistently tell us that there are not enough of them to give the care they know they can. Women tell us the same – overstretched staff are struggling to care for them on busy maternity wards. […]
Shared knowledge
In May, RCM Northern Ireland was delighted to welcome colleagues from the RCM board and executive to showcase the incredible work happening here. Craigavon Maternity Unit in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust was the first stop. A series of presentations brought to life the impact of Continuity of Midwifery Carer teams, as well […]
“Research in this field could make things better for everyone”
When Professor Hora Soltani MBE graduated as a midwife and began her clinical work, the challenges that women and families face intrigued her. A Master’s degree and PhD later, she was working in an interdisciplinary research team as a hands-on researcher. “What I really want to do is make a difference. Women, families and babies […]