Vitamin B12

Maternal requirements for vitamin B12 (cobalamin) increase significantly during pregnancy to support cellular division and foetal development. When these levels drop it affects mother and baby. 1 The ‘diet-only’ myth While nutritional insufficiency is common – particularly for vegan or strict vegetarian diets – it is not the sole cause. Pernicious anaemia is a distinct, […]

TUC Cymru Congress

In May, RCM Cymru was proud to attend TUC Cymru Congress in Llandudno, joining trade union colleagues to debate, challenge and shape the future of our workplaces. Congress is always a powerful space, bringing together voices from across sectors, but with workforce pressures, increasing demand and awareness of inequalities in health outcomes, this year felt particularly important. […]

We’re stronger together

This October marks the 50th anniversary of RCM becoming a recognised trade union and we aren’t letting that pass quietly! The RCM is the only dedicated trade union for midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs), run by midwives and MSWs. And that matters because it means we understand the detail of your working lives because […]

Stronger together

Did you know that in 1995 the RCM negotiated Executive Letter (95)77, which provided guidance to NHS trusts on grading and pay structures to match the expanded clinical roles, responsibilities and 24/7 autonomy expected of modern midwives? Or that, in 1997, Karlene Davis became Britain’s first black woman trade union leader as RCM general secretary? Starting in October, […]

Meet them where they are

The National Bereavement Care Pathway is designed to ensure that bereaved families receive compassionate, high-quality, equitable and personalised support following loss. Angela says: “The training helps you feel confident and prepared when providing bereavement care; to be able to work out what a family needs and support their wishes when they aren’t necessarily able to […]

Trauma-informed care

When faced with unexpected or challenging behaviours, we often ask: “What’s wrong with you?” Yet we rarely ask: “What happened to you?” Trauma-informed care is about shifting that perspective. Rather than treating behavioural struggles or distress as a personal defect, it reframes the resulting responses as perfectly normal adaptations to abnormal or frightening life events. […]

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 […]