The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says ‘it’s disappointed, but not surprised’ that the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC’s) annual data report has revealed that compared to nurses’ midwives are less likely to recommend their career choice.

Concerns over staffing shortages and the impact they have on the delivery of good quality care were also some of the top reasons why midwives have left the profession. With almost a quarter (22%) of midwives being more likely than nurses to cite poor staffing as a factor in their decision to leave the profession.

One midwife* told the NMC that the staffing crisis made her anxious before going into work. Not knowing how many midwives would be on the shift, and if she would have been juggled with agency staff was a worry.

Commenting, Sally Aston May, RCM’s Director for Midwifery Policy and Practice, said:

“Here we have another report that lays bare the reasons why so many midwives are leaving the profession. There is a real crisis of confidence within midwifery, with too many staff worried that they won’t see the improvement we all desperately want. We have already written to the new Health Secretary making it clear that the RCM wants to be a partner in the rapid improvement of maternity services and rebuilding the confidence of the profession.

“If we don’t look after the physical and mental health of staff, how do we expect them to deliver high quality maternity care? Every midwife and maternity support worker want to be able to deliver the best and safest care to women and families, but many are working in a system that doesn’t always support that.  Stress and burnout are far too widespread among maternity staff and much of this comes down to not have the right staff, in the right place at the right time. We need to retain our skilled and experienced staff not only to provide that care, but also to support the next generation of midwives. We must value them through fair working practices, including recognising their personal caring responsibilities and offering them more flexible ways of working.”

The RCM says the pressure and worry its members face about the system not supporting them to deliver the best care they know they can and that being a deciding factor for them leaving midwifery is wrong and must be urgently addressed.

Retaining the staff we have and ensuring we have a profession that’s fit for the future, is equally as important as having enough staff says the RCM, who have offered the new Government solutions to the staff retention crisis in its  How to Fix the Midwifery Staffing Crisis.

The RCM says it’s great that registrants from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds now make up almost one third of the register. It’s crucial the midwifery profession is more reflective of the communities it serves says RCM.

Sally added:

“It’s positive to see the growth in the ethnic diversity of those on the NMC’s register. However, much more work needs to be done ensure that there is no difference between the experiences of Black, Asian and minority staff, or any marginalised group, and their white counterparts. Sadly, we know that this is not always the case. Hard working midwives and maternity support workers from the global majority struggle with discrimination in the workplace. They regularly experience bullying, and harassment at work. We have highlighted this to the new government and have called on them to work with us and all those involved in commissioning maternity services to eradicate racism in maternity services once and for all.’

ENDS

For interview requests and to contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS 

• The NMC’s Annual Data Register Report is embargoed until 00:01, Friday 19 July – https://www.nmc.org.uk/
• One midwife* “The staffing crisis in midwifery influenced my decision. It made me anxious before going into work, not knowing how many midwives would be on the shift, and if it would have been juggled with agency staff.” (page 14)
• Key statistic – Over 20% of all registrants leave the register within 10 years of qualifying and almost half of registrants (49%) leave early, before retirement age.
• RCM calls on the next Government to ‘eradicate racism in maternity services once and for all’
• RCM calls for ‘right staff in the right place with the right education and training’ ahead of General Election
• RCM tells politicians how to fix the midwifery staffing crisis with new pre-election guide
• New RCM guide offers practical solutions to maternity safety crisis

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team.