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 […]
Mission control: what do the PM’s new missions tell us about the direction of health?
Today [5 December 2024] Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Cabinet decamped to Pinewood Studios, home to James Bond and ‘Would I Lie to You?’, to launch the ‘Plan for Change’, an attempt to inject new purpose into the Government after a sometimes shaky first five months in power. Fixing the NHS is one of […]
Not once in a generation change, but a change for generations to come: RCM urges Government to be ambitious in its 10-year plan
The Royal College of Midwives has urged the Government to be ambitious for maternity care, as it submits its response to the consultation on the NHS 10-year plan. This, says the College, is an opportunity to reshape maternity services in England for the better, both for the women and families that access them and for […]
‘Improving pay part of solution to recruitment and retention crisis,’ RCM tells Pay Review Body
‘Paying staff fairly and valuing the skilled work they do is an important part of the solution to the maternity staffing crisis.’ That’s what the RCM has told the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) this week, in its written evidence submission for the 2025/26 pay round for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The RCM is […]
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 […]
RCM responds to Darzi Report
In July 2024, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care commissioned Lord Darzi to conduct an immediate and independent investigation of the NHS. The rapid review was completed in nine weeks and the report was published today (12 September). Commenting on the Darzi Report, Royal College of Midwives Chief Executive Gill Walton said: […]
Long overdue pay offer finally arrives for midwives in England
Months of waiting, a change of Government and finally the announcement of the long overdue pay rise for midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) in England has arrived. The Government’s announcement of a 5.5%, above inflation pay award has been welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) – but they also said that staff […]