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 […]
RCM responds to report which finds challenges in maternity safety are systemic
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the recommendation of a national approach to tackle maternity safety concerns set out today by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). The RCM concurs with the HSSIB scoping report that safety challenges in maternity and neonatal care are the result of national systemic issues and hopes […]
Independent review and national assessment of maternity services offers opportunity to improve maternity safety in Wales
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales has welcomed the announcement by Health Secretary Jeremy Miles that a national assessment of all maternity and neonatal services will begin in Wales later this month. The College says it’s a ‘significant step forward’ and something that is owed to the families who have suffered unbearable loss […]
What the 10-year plan means for maternity services
Last week saw the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care unveil their ambitious 10-year plan for England’s NHS, though we may have to wait a little longer to know what the future holds for maternity services. The plan, Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, has been […]
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 […]
New Report Spotlights the Critical Role of Specialist Parent-Infant Relationship Teams
The Parent-Infant Foundation has published a new report, ‘Who is holding the baby?’, which explores the current landscape of specialised parent-infant relationship teams across the UK. This research, launched as part of Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (June 9-15), brings fresh insight into the progress made – and the problems that still exist – in […]
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 […]
‘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 Wales calls for more support for staff to deliver maternity safety improvements
Sustained support and investment are needed to enable midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) to deliver safety improvements across Welsh maternity services says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales. Everything from safe staffing levels to prioritising time for multidisciplinary training and improving organisational and working cultures must be addressed,if we are to see […]