Midwives are standing with their trainee obstetrician and gynaecologist colleagues after new General Medical Council (GMC) figures revealed they are more at risk of burnout than other trainee doctors. 

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says the findings will feel all too familiar to midwives, who share the same wards, shifts and pressures, and that women and families are feeling the impact. 

According to the GMC, seven in ten O&G trainees (70%) are now at moderate or high risk of burnout, compared with 61% of trainees across all specialties. They were also more likely to describe heavy workloads and going without enough sleep and less likely to feel confident escalating concerns to senior colleagues. 

There was some encouraging news, with almost nine in ten trainees (89%) saying their workplace promotes good teamwork across professions. Midwives are often the steady, experienced presence on a labour ward, and many go out of their way to support trainee doctors as they build their confidence and skills. 

Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: 

“Midwives and doctors care for the same women and babies, side by side, and these figures show just how stretched maternity teams are. Midwives know these pressures all too well and we stand with our trainee colleagues. 

“Everyone on a maternity unit should feel able to ask for help or flag a worry, whatever their role or experience. That matters for staff, but above all it matters for the safety of women and babies. 

“Good teamwork can’t make up for a system under this much strain. Through our Safe Staffing = Safe Care campaign, we are calling on the Government to invest in the maternity workforce, so there are enough midwives and enough doctors to give every woman the safe, personalised care she deserves.”