No shame, no stigma, only support
As midwives and MSWs, we spend our working lives supporting the women in our care. Not only that, but most of the people we work alongside are also women. Think about all those women – hundreds, probably thousands of them – that cross our paths. And now consider that the recent crime survey for England […]
Being valued and adding value: Celebrating MSWs on MSW Day – and every day
MSW Day always provides me with an opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and all that been achieved by maternity support workers and for maternity support workers (MSWs). This year I have been involved in some wonderful events which have celebrated the successes of RCM members and where MSWs have very much […]
Statement from HSC trade unions Northern Ireland 15 November 2024
Health Trade Unions in Northern Ireland met with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on the 14 November regarding pay for 2024/25. The unions reiterated their position that the Pay Review Body (PRB) recommendation should be implemented in full. Furthermore, the Health Trade Unions insisted that any pay offer must ensure pay parity and be backdated to […]
Midwife wins prestigious award for her empathy during bereavement
A midwife and sonographer from Orkney, Melissa Lindsay, has won the Midwife of the Year Award at Scotland’s Health Awards, which were held in Edinburgh at a dazzling awards ceremony last Thursday. The awards celebrate the outstanding work and commitment health care workers in the Health and Social Care network show to patients and communities […]
RCM response to Health Secretary’s ‘zero tolerance’ approach to NHS improvement
A renewed focus on improvement of outcomes and safety has been welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) – but the College has urged the Government to see beyond waiting list reduction as a measure of success. Birte Harlev-Lam, Executive Director Midwife at the RCM, said: “Countless reports and inspections have consistently shown what […]
Guernsey’s changing demographic could add complexity to maternity services, warns RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has praised the state of maternity services in Guernsey but has called on the Bailiwick to continue to invest in them so they continue to meet the needs of the island’s population. Releasing its Guernsey State of Maternity Services report today, the RCM has found that, although the number […]
Guernsey State of Maternity Services report 2024
Increased tuition fees will fuel shortage of midwives, warns RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned the Government that the increase of 3.1% in tuition fees, announced today, could exacerbate the existing crisis that is already seeing student midwives being forced out of their chosen career due to financial pressures. Although the uplift is matched with a 3.1% increase in maintenance loans, this […]
Value for money
In her Budget statement yesterday, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced that the Scottish Government will receive the largest real time funding settlement in the history of devolution. The most important part of that announcement for midwives and maternity care assistants in Scotland is that this increase is aimed at ensuring that Scotland can ‘deliver the […]
A weighty Budget speech – but is the focus ambitious enough
It has been four months since the election. It has been a long wait for Labour’s first Budget since 2010. But when she finally stood up to deliver it, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered a weighty Budget speech. She plans to put up taxes by £40 billion to fund substantial extra investment […]