RCM responds to Government’s Ten-Year Plan
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has responded to the government’s Ten-Year Plan for services in England. The RCM says it’s a ‘positive step forward’ that this government’s plan has acknowledged the current working culture in the NHS and the impact that has on the health and wellbeing of staff. Describing the plan as ‘ambitious’ […]
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 […]
Chancellor’s Spending Review is high on hope but low on detail
The Royal College of Midwives has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, announced today. Gill Walton, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the RCM, said: “Midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives will have been hoping for more of an indication that this Government understands the desperate need for investment in […]
Government announces pay award for RCM members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has issued a cautious welcome to the news that the governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have accepted the pay recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) in full. The RCM says while it believes its hard-working members deserve more, the 3.6% is a ‘small improvement’ on […]
‘The impact you have on the women in your care is huge’ RCM’s Chief Executive tells national conference
‘Every family should leave maternity services whole and healthy’. That is the clear message from the leader of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as she opened the RCM’s National Conference in Birmingham today. Gill Walton also reminded delegates that ‘the impact your midwifery practice has on women and their families is huge’. Highlighting staffing […]
‘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 […]
RCM welcomes announcement of no separate pay spine for nurses
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the news that the Government will not pursue a separate pay spine for NHS nurses. The RCM described the proposals as ‘divisive and unfair’ when it submitted evidence to the Government’s consultation in 2024 and has been staunchly opposed to the creation of a separate pay scale […]
RCM responds to announcement that NHSE is to be scrapped
Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement that NHS England is to be scrapped with management of health service returning to Government, the Royal College of Midwives’ (RCM) Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said: “Both the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary have said that abolishing NHS England will put more money into frontline services. Every midwife […]
International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM: A Call to Action for Midwives
On February 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM midwife Jenny Rose Viera writes of her hope that midwifery educators partner with survivors to include more comprehensive training on FGM in midwifery courses and what practicing midwives can do to better support FGM survivors in their care. Globally, over 200 million girls and women […]
Government pay recommendation ‘not good enough’ says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has described the Government’s pay recommendation of 2.8% for 2025/26 as ‘not good enough’ and says it won’t meet the expectations of its hard-working members. Furthermore, moving the crucial structural negotiations which formed part of this year’s pay round into 2025/26 runs counter to the Government’s previous commitment of […]