RCM Cymru brings maternity safety agenda to TUC Congress
RCM Cymru has taken its campaign for safe staffing and cultural competency to TUC Cymru Congress, tabling two motions calling for urgent action on the issues that matter most to midwives and the women they care for. Around 28,000 babies are born in Wales every year. Yet services remain under sustained pressure and too many women – […]
“A change of Health Secretary at this moment is the last thing women, babies and midwives need” says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned that the appointment of a new Health Secretary comes at the worst possible moment for maternity services. The Amos and Ockenden reviews are due to report in June – a timetable the RCM says must be honoured, with eight in ten midwives saying their unit is not […]
RCM Cymru pays tribute to activist Stacey Keane “who has left an indelible mark” on the organisation
RCM Cymru has paid tribute to Stacey Keane, a much-loved midwife and activist, who has sadly died. Stacey, from Cwm Taf Morgannwg, was at the forefront of the fight for fairness, dignity and justice in the workplace throughout her career. As a former RCM Workplace rep she stood alongside countless members – at the bargaining table, in negotiations and […]
The RCM responds to Baroness Amos’ interim report on maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives has responded to Baroness Amos’ interim report on maternity services, calling for urgent action on safe staffing and proper investment after the review highlighted systemic failings across maternity care. The report, which examined maternity services found that despite 748 recommendations made over the past decade, change has been “too slow.” […]
Historic move sees RCM pull out of NHS Pay Review Body process
In a historic move after two decades the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced that it is withdrawing from the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) process for 2026/27. The decision the trade union says ‘it hasn’t taken lightly’ but one they feel is ‘absolutely necessary’ given lack of progress on NHS pay reform for […]
RCM response to Government announcement on national maternity investigation
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for urgency and support for staff and families following today’s announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care naming the 14 NHS Trusts that will be part of the new national investigation into maternity and neonatal services. Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “Now […]
Joint agency approach is needed to end the inequality gap in maternal mortality rates says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives has again called for immediate and urgent measures to tackle the inequality of outcomes for women and families using maternity services. The call comes following the publication of the latest MBRRACE-UK report, Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care, into maternal deaths during and immediately following pregnancy between 2021 and 2023. The […]
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 […]
‘Utterly unfair’ that RCM members in Northern Ireland are still without pay uplift
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Northern Ireland says it’s pressing the Northern Ireland Executive for progress on an overdue pay award for its members. The RCM has described the delay as ‘utterly unfair’ and ‘completely demoralising’ for hard working midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) The Health and Social Care (HSC) Trade Unions […]
RCM Cymru welcomes announcement of new Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel
Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Cymru has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel, which will undertake a current state ‘rapid independent assessment’ of maternity services in Wales. However, the RCM has cautioned that this assessment must strengthen and support the improvement work that is already underway, not derail […]