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 […]
Proud to support members when things go wrong, equally proud to improve workplace conditions
On International Workers Memorial Day, RCM’s Director for Representation and Organising shares some of the most recent workplace wins and settlements secured for RCM members. In 2024 the RCM won a staggering £1.2 million in damages and settlements for RCM members through our comprehensive legal services. This figure is almost three times the previous year’s […]
RCM calls on Government to step up to tackle inequalities in maternity outcomes
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) this week has used the TUC Women’s Conference as another opportunity to call on the Government to do more to improve the unacceptable maternity outcomes faced by Black and Asian women. Delivering its decolonising midwifery practice and education motion today the RCM called on the TUC to join with […]
Voices of midwives, MCAs and the RCM in Scotland offer catalyst for change
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Scotland has welcomed the publication of the report and recommended actions of the Scottish Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce and says that ‘the valuable contribution made by its members alongside RCM staff in shaping the report cannot be underestimated.” The College says the report, recommendations and actions from the […]
RCM Wales welcomes rollout of electronic health record and maternity app
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales has welcomed an announcement from Welsh Government that electronic health records (EHR) and an app for maternity care will be introduced by March 2026. Maternity services can deliver safer care with the use of digital technology says the RCM as the EHR will enable pregnant women to […]
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 […]