Royal College of Midwives warns postcode lottery is putting mothers’ mental health at risk
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling for urgent action to end the postcode lottery in perinatal mental health care across the UK. On World Mental Health Day (10 October), the RCM is launching a new roadmap calling for improvements to perinatal mental health care, as it emerges that: One in four women experiences […]
RCM urges action to tackle ongoing issues highlighted in perinatal mortality report
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for action to address ongoing issues in maternity care highlighted by the latest National Perinatal Mortality Review Tool (PMRT) annual report, published today (Thursday 9 October). The report, which reviewed 4,166 cases of perinatal death across the UK between January and December 2024, shows encouraging progress in […]
RCM calls for investment in maternity services as new report highlights shifting birth trends
A new report published today (11 September) by the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA) has highlighted significant changes in how women are giving birth in Great Britain – with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) warning that maternity services must be properly resourced to ensure safe, high-quality care for all. The NMPA’s State of […]
Celebrating ambulance service midwives on National Emergency Services Day: ‘The clinicians really appreciate our midwifery knowledge and skills’
On National Emergency Services Day (9 September), we celebrate the incredible people who keep the public safe in times of crisis. Among them are midwives like Lisa Smith and Aimee Humphreys, who have taken their skills into the ambulance service – supporting paramedics, ambulance clinicians, women and babies in the most urgent and unpredictable moments. […]
RCM keeps support for student and newly qualified midwives top of the agenda at TUC Congress
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has used one of its motions at the 2025 TUC Congress to shine a light on the ongoing challenges facing student and newly-qualified midwives. Financial hardship while studying midwifery, the accrual of significant debt, juggling childcare with clinal placement and the uncertainty of not finding full-time employment upon graduation […]
‘I tell myself I’m going to have a good day – and it works!’: Midwifery student shares advice for those starting their journey
For many new student midwives, September marks the start of an exciting journey into a rewarding profession. But while anticipation is high, it’s natural to feel nervous about what’s ahead. To help ease those first-days nerves, Sheffield Hallam second-year student midwife Khadijah Madden has shared her reflections and advice for those just beginning their training. […]
RCM calls on TUC Congress to ‘stand with us to tackle inequalities in maternity care’
‘The trade union movement should be on the side of every woman and every baby whose lives are endangered by inequalities.’ That’s the message the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has taken to the 2025 Trade Union Congress (TUC) this weekend. The RCM used the first of its two motions to shine a light on […]
Support for midwives as NHS autumn vaccine rollout begins
As the NHS launches its autumn vaccination programme, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is providing members with support, practical tools and evidence-based information to help them respond confidently to questions from women in their care. This autumn, the NHS is offering flu and RSV vaccines to pregnant women. However, for the first time since […]
Watch RCM webinar featuring RSV vaccine guidance and advice for midwives
Supporting women to make informed choices about their care is a fundamental element of being a midwife, and support around vaccination is an important part of that. Midwives are often the trusted professionals that pregnant women turn to for advice about vaccination, so ensuring you’ve got all the most up-to-date information is vital. Royal College […]
RCM responds to report which finds challenges in maternity safety are systemic
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the recommendation of a national approach to tackle maternity safety concerns set out today by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). The RCM concurs with the HSSIB scoping report that safety challenges in maternity and neonatal care are the result of national systemic issues and hopes […]