Pioneering Community-Based Trial to Improve Maternal Health for Pregnant Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa
A study published last month in the Lancet sheds new light on how community-led maternal and newborn care in Sierra Leone has saved lives by bringing care closer to women. In a country with a historically high maternal mortality rate – 40% of which is adolescents (10-19 year olds) – the 2YoungLives trial has made […]
New RCM Director for Northern Ireland
A midwife with over 30 years clinical, academic and strategic midwifery experience has been appointed as the new Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Director for Northern Ireland. Dr Dale Spence has held several midwifery roles throughout her longstanding career including at government level, as Midwifery Officer within the Chief Nursing Officers senior team in Northern […]
New Data Hub for Midwives Announced by the ICM and Direct Relief
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), in partnership with Direct Relief, have announced the launch of a new open-access platform, built to make data about midwives and the midwifery profession accessible. Described as being “built on the legacy of the Global Midwives’ Hub” – a digital data resource for midwives launched by the same organisations […]
New RCM Board members elected
Four new midwives have been elected to join the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Board. Announcing the new Board members the RCM has thanked its members for voting in the recent election. The RCM Board is responsible for the overall direction and setting the strategic objectives of the RCM and is made up entirely of […]
New executive roles bolster College’s drive to be by the side of the midwifery community
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced the appointment of two new members to the executive team. Robbie Turner will be joining as Chief Membership Officer and Hannah Leonard as Chief Policy Officer and will work alongside existing Chief Executive Gill Walton and Chief Operating Officer Chris Truman. Gill said of the new appointments: […]
RCM gives evidence to inquiry on Black maternal health
Cultural competence, a lack of accurate data and insufficient time with midwives were all highlighted as key issues by the RCM at an inquiry into Black maternal health this week. The House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee (HSC) inquiry is aimed at assessing why, despite several polices and the creation of government […]
New Report Spotlights the Critical Role of Specialist Parent-Infant Relationship Teams
The Parent-Infant Foundation has published a new report, ‘Who is holding the baby?’, which explores the current landscape of specialised parent-infant relationship teams across the UK. This research, launched as part of Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (June 9-15), brings fresh insight into the progress made – and the problems that still exist – in […]
Pay consultation opens for members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Today the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today launched a pay consultation with its Agenda for Change (AfC) members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The College is urging all members across all three nations to have their say on the recent 3.6% pay award as it wants to hear how midwives and maternity […]
Father’s Day 2025: A Partner’s Perspective on Postpartum Psychosis
To commemorate Father’s Day 2025, Chris Wasley shares a personal reflection on his introduction to fatherhood and his family’s experience of postpartum psychosis. Their story, explored in greater depth in the published article ‘Heaven Then Hell: A Partner’s Experience of Postpartum Psychosis’, offers an insight into the role of partners during perinatal mental health crises. […]
Chancellor’s Spending Review is high on hope but low on detail
The Royal College of Midwives has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, announced today. Gill Walton, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the RCM, said: “Midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives will have been hoping for more of an indication that this Government understands the desperate need for investment in […]