RCM calls on CQC to seek partnership, not punishment, in regulation

CQC – Care Quality Commission RCM Maternity Services Safety Safe high quality care The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for a new approach in hospital inspections, following an apology from the Interim Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the implementation of their new regulatory approach. In an open letter published this week, Kate Terroni […]

RCM members elect new President

Midwifery Midwives RCM RCM Member RCM CEO RCM President MSWs – Maternity Support Workers ‘I will represent every member no matter their background or their role’ that’s the message from Sophie Russell the newly elected  President of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). RCM members voted for Sophie to become the newly elected President of the RCM and her term starts […]

RCM highlights midwives role in genomics during Genomic Conversation Week

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says midwives are already by default practicing genomics in their day-to-day practice as it launches a new i-learn module to better support its members when it comes to genomics in maternity care. Using genomic information, the RCM says can positively impact the quality-of-care maternity services can deliver. To coincide […]

RCM welcomes new research strategy but cautions it must be backed-up with resources

The importance of research to drive improvements in maternity safety and the quality of care has been underlined with the publication of a strategic plan for research from England’s Chief Midwifery Officer (CMidO). It sets out plans for maternity and perinatal research and strengthening careers for under-represented disciplines, such as midwives over the next three […]

Consultation opened on job evaluation matching profiles for midwifery bands

The NHS Job Evaluation Group is currently consulting on proposed revisions to the job evaluation matching profile for midwifery – bands 4, 5 and 6. This follows calls from the RCM having highlighted that the current profiles haven’t been reviewed for many years. The RCM says its members roles have evolved and new roles have […]

Welsh maternity team recognised for tackling inequalities in maternity care

A maternity team in Wales have been recognised for their work in tackling inequalities and improving maternity care for pregnant women with learning disabilities and difficulty with everyday activities. Having developed a Maternity Passport for the Hywel Dda Health Board to ensure the individual needs of the woman were understood and that reasonable adjustments were […]

Titanic Belfast illuminated purple to recognise RCM members on International Day of the Midwife

In a first for midwives across Northern Ireland, the world-leading visitor attraction, Titanic Belfast, will be illuminated purple to mark International Day of the Midwife (IDM) on Sunday 5 May. The move to honour midwives and all maternity staff and recognise their contribution to healthcare in Northern Ireland has been welcomed by the RCM. Commenting, […]

Improving pay part of the solution to stem the tide of midwives leaving the NHS says RCM

‘Paying staff fairly and valuing the skilled work they do is an important part of the solution to the maternity staffing crisis.’ That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as it submits evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) for the 2024/25 pay round. Below-inflation pay awards and decades of pay […]

RCM launches snap poll for members in Northern Ireland

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling all its members in Northern Ireland to take part in its snap poll on additional hours worked which launches today. The RCM wants to know how many unpaid extra hours its members worked during last week, 15-21 April. Midwives and Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) can let the […]

Midwives face huge barriers returning to work due to lack of childcare, says RCM

A lack of flexible and accessible childcare options for midwives’ risks heightening Scotland’s maternity workforce challenges. The warning comes as an RCM motion calling on the Scottish Government to take immediate steps to provide accessible, affordable childcare across Scotland including wraparound care was adopted at yesterday’s session of the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC). At […]