Celebrating Black History Month 2026
Black History Month (BHM), which is celebrated each October in the UK, provides an opportunity to reflect on, recognise and celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities, while also acknowledging the ongoing work needed to address inequalities and promote inclusion. The theme for BHM2026 – ‘Honouring Our Communities’ – invites us to recognise […]
Basildon midwives win almost £750,000 after exposure to dangerous levels of nitrous oxide
More than 120 midwives and maternity staff at Basildon University Hospital, including over 80 Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members, have won almost £750,000 after breathing in nitrous oxide at work at up to 30 times the legal limit. Staff were exposed to high levels of the gas – widely used for pain relief in […]
We must work together to improve care for bereaved parents, baby loss conference hears
Improving care for parents who experience the loss of a baby must be a shared priority, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has told a baby loss conference in Northern Ireland. Speaking at the Belfast event, organised jointly by the RCM and Sands to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, the RCM’s Chief Executive Gill Walton […]
Maternity must be central to Northern Ireland’s women’s health plans, RCM tells major health conference
Maternity services must be part of plans to improve women’s health in Northern Ireland, the RCM has told health leaders at a major conference in Belfast. RCM Northern Ireland Director Dr Dale Spence was speaking at NICON26 today (8 October), where she joined a panel discussing women’s health and what needs to change. The discussion […]
Midwife tells Baby Loss Summit significant gaps still remain in bereavement care in Wales
Bereaved families across Wales need better and more consistent support when they experience baby loss, a bereavement midwife has told a summit at the Senedd in Wales. RCM member Christie-Ann Lang, a specialist bereavement midwife at Swansea Bay University Health Board, highlighted the inequalities in bereavement care in a presentation to the Baby Loss Summit held at […]
MIDIRS Editorial Advisory Board: call for new members
MIDIRS are refreshing the MIDIRS Editorial Advisory Board and have an exciting opportunity for new members to join us. If you have an interest in midwifery research, advancing evidence-based practice and championing all voices in maternity care, being part of the Editorial Advisory Board is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We are passionate […]
TUC Congress backs RCM calls for safe staffing and racial equality in maternity care
Sustained investment in safe staffing, so no midwife is expected to work beyond safe limits or without breaks. A fully funded plan to tackle racism in maternity care. These were the calls behind two key RCM motions carried at TUC Congress in Brighton this week. TUC Congress is where 47 unions from across the UK, […]
RCM Patron The Princess Royal visit shines a spotlight on midwifery in Northern Ireland
The RCM’s Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, met midwives and student midwives during a visit to Queen’s University Belfast. The visit put the spotlight on the next generation of midwives in Northern Ireland, giving The Princess Royal the chance to hear from students about their education as they prepare to join the profession. The […]
Win for RCM Barnsley members! Trust drops proposed break changes and fire and rehire threat after long-running dispute
RCM members in Barnsley have secured an important win following a long-running dispute over proposed changes to break arrangements which would have increased the number of hours worked a month. Following months of negotiations, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has dropped plans for a one-hour unpaid break and removed the threat of dismissal and re-engagement […]
Five things you need to know about the Parliamentary safe staffing vote – including what happens next
Last week, maternity safe staffing reached the floor of the House of Commons. After months of campaigning by the Royal College of Midwives, MPs debated proposals that would have put new requirements around staffing and maternity safety into law. It was part of the Health Bill’s amendment stage – with the Bill making changes to […]