RCM welcomes introduction of baby loss certificates
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the launch of baby loss certificates for parents who have experienced the loss of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy. From today parents in England can access the government’s voluntary scheme if they wish to record and receive a certificate which recognises the loss of their […]
New regulation for midwives treating pregnant women on sodium valproate
The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has released new regulation on Valproate treatment which midwives can use to ensure the safety of pregnant women who take the drug. This followed an earlier alert in November 2023 for all organisations in preparations to the new safety measures. The new regulation focusses on the prevention […]
Still work to do but encouraging improvements in maternity services say RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the recognition by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of improvements across the board in women’s experience in maternity care. The CQC’s annual maternity survey, published today, also acknowledges the huge pressures midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) are facing. A survey of over 25,000 women and their […]
Midwives need more time to talk to women about birth trauma, says RCM
It is simply impossible to address birth trauma adequately without addressing the continuing shortage of midwives, the RCM’s Chief Executive Gill Walton has told the UK’s first-ever inquiry into birth trauma. This week the RCM gave its evidence to the inquiry launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on birth trauma. Over the next six […]
Time for a resolution on pay as Executive returns says RCM
‘Now is the time for a resolution on pay,’ says The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Northern Ireland with the anticipated return of the Executive and an existing commitment from the UK Government on funding for public sector pay. Following a second day of strike action earlier this month by midwives, maternity support workers […]
RCM comments on Panorama’s ‘Midwives under Pressure’ programme
Following the broadcast of Panorama – Midwives under Pressure by the BBC, Gill Walton, Chief Executive of The Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: “The testimonies of the midwives, the women, and their families are heartbreaking and must be the catalyst for change. We have heard too many stories and read too many reports all […]
Urgently Improve facilities to help midwives and MSWs breastfeed at work, says RCM
Breastfeeding facilities for midwives and midwifery support workers (MSWs) returning to work need urgent improvement, according to a new survey by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives and MSWs face huge barriers to breastfeeding or expressing milk while at work, including having no suitable places to feed or express, a lack of time to […]
RCM joins rally to protect midwives right to strike
Members and staff of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will take to the streets this weekend to join the TUC’s Protect the Right to Strike march and rally in Cheltenham. The Government’s Strikes (Minimum Services Levels) Act is, according to the RCM, a ‘draconian and deliberate law which severely limits the ability of unions […]
Second strike shows strength of feeling on pay for members in Northern Ireland
Below freezing temperatures and snowy conditions did not deter hundreds of RCM members in Northern Ireland from taking to the picket lines last Thursday. Midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) certainly did not allow the weather conditions to freeze their spirits or the fight for better pay. Even newly qualified midwives on their first day […]
Everyone has a part to play in stopping racism in the NHS, says RCM
Racism has no place in the NHS in Scotland or anywhere else and it’s everyone’s job, including midwives, to help eradicate it wherever it rears its ugly head, says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The RCM is calling on its members in Scotland to complete the ‘Help Us to Tackle Racism’ survey by the […]