New executive roles bolster College’s drive to be by the side of the midwifery community
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced the appointment of two new members to the executive team. Robbie Turner will be joining as Chief Membership Officer and Hannah Leonard as Chief Policy Officer and will work alongside existing Chief Executive Gill Walton and Chief Operating Officer Chris Truman. Gill said of the new appointments: […]
RCM welcomes renewed focus on maternity safety as Secretary of State announces rapid review
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the announcement of a rapid review of maternity safety. The review, announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is due to report by Christmas. Alongside this, the Health Secretary will chair a National Maternity & Neonatal Taskforce, which will bring together experts, staff and campaigners to drive improvements […]
Latest NMC report reveals concerning snapshot of why midwives are leaving the register
While it’s positive news that the number of midwives on the register has increased overall, the increase in new registrants joining the register is on the decline. Heather Bower RCM’s Head of Midwifery Education explains why in her latest blog. This week, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published its annual report about the […]
What the new NHS role profiles mean for you
The RCM’s Director of Employment Relations explains the changes to the NHS role profiles mean to maternity support workers and midwives If you’ve been following recent developments around Agenda for Change (AfC), you might have heard that the NHS Staff Council has now agreed on new national profiles for nursing and midwifery staff. And if […]
Health secretary to address national summit on maternity and neonatal safety
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting will address NHS leaders at a first-of-its-kind summit on maternity and neonatal safety in July. The summit is aimed at Chief Executives and Chairs of NHS Trusts, Boards and Integrated Care Boards to support them in addressing the safety crisis facing maternity and neonatal care. Importantly, delegates will […]
Closer collaboration needed to tackle stark inequalities revealed in latest Saving Babies’ Lives report says RCM
Improving maternity outcomes must be a national priority across all UK governments, says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in response to the latest Saving Babies’ Lives progress report, from Sands and Tommy’s joint policy unit. The RCM is calling for urgent, coordinated action to address persistent inequalities and prevent avoidable deaths. The report states […]
The bravery of RCM members, always shining through
RCM Chief Executive Gill Walton shares her reflections on our 2025 conference, and the meaning of bravery in maternity services and midwifery education RCM Conference is always a whirlwind. There’s so much going on and so many people to say hello to. It was good to have a bank holiday this time and good to […]
RCM urges greater focus and ambition around midwifery and maternity research
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced its top 10 research priorities for midwifery and maternity care – identified in a thorough process working with the James Lind Alliance, and closely supported by a project Steering Group made up of midwives, midwifery students, maternity support workers (MSWs), women and birthing parents and their supporters. […]
Surprise Royal visit stuns unsuspecting RCM members at RCM’s national conference
Delegates at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) annual conference were left stunned at the surprise arrival of Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal to their national conference in Birmingham on Thursday. In a special speech, she thanked midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) for the incredible work they do in transforming and positively […]
‘Shocking budget cuts will compromise the delivery of safe maternity care in every way,’ says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has described the Government and NHS England’s decision to slash crucial ringfenced maternity service funding as ‘utterly shocking’. The devastating decision revealed by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) on the eve of the RCM’s national conference, will see national Service Development Funding (SDF) for maternity services drop from £95m […]