Royal College of Midwives warns slowdown in midwifery workforce growth risks increasing pressure on maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has expressed concerns following new figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) showing a significant slowdown in growth of the UK’s nursing and midwifery register, driven by a sharp fall in international recruitment and an increase in staff leaving the profession. The latest NMC data, released today (Friday […]
Royal College of Midwives backs Parliamentary Bill pushing for better perinatal mental health care
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed a new Bill introduced to Parliament on Wednesday (22 October) by Laura Kyrke-Smith MP, which aims to make high-quality perinatal mental health assessments a routine part of antenatal care for all women in England. The Perinatal Mental Health Assessments Bill, known as Sophie’s Law, would ensure that […]
Why supporting women’s choices is key to protecting mental wellbeing
Supporting women’s choices in maternity care isn’t just about autonomy – it’s central to protecting mental wellbeing and ensuring safer outcomes for women and babies. In this blog, Lia Brigante, Professional Policy Advisor at the RCM, explains how personalised care, informed choice and the RCM’s Perinatal Mental Health Roadmap are helping midwives deliver care that […]
RCM Cymru to champion anti-racism in maternity care at Black History Month event
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Cymru is supporting this year’s TUC Cymru Black History Month event – Celebrating our past and protecting our future – highlighting how midwifery and maternity services are helping to deliver the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racism Action Plan. RCM Cymru Maternity Inclusive chairperson Jamie Morris will take to the stage at […]
RCM Cymru welcomes baby loss certificates in Wales
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Cymru has welcomed the introduction of baby loss certificates for parents in Wales who have experienced the loss of a baby before 24 weeks. Until now, the certificates have only been available to parents in England, where they were introduced last year. The scheme, which is voluntary, allows parents […]
‘My baby’s smile pulled me back and reminded me I needed to keep going’
When it comes to perinatal mental health, lived experience can be one of the most powerful tools for change. For many midwives, the journey into supporting others begins with their own experience of struggling in silence. As the Royal College of Midwives launches its Perinatal Mental Health Roadmap calling for fair, consistent care across the […]
Royal College of Midwives warns postcode lottery is putting mothers’ mental health at risk
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling for urgent action to end the postcode lottery in perinatal mental health care across the UK. On World Mental Health Day (10 October), the RCM is launching a new roadmap calling for improvements to perinatal mental health care, as it emerges that: One in four women experiences […]
RCM urges action to tackle ongoing issues highlighted in perinatal mortality report
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for action to address ongoing issues in maternity care highlighted by the latest National Perinatal Mortality Review Tool (PMRT) annual report, published today (Thursday 9 October). The report, which reviewed 4,166 cases of perinatal death across the UK between January and December 2024, shows encouraging progress in […]
RCM calls for investment in maternity services as new report highlights shifting birth trends
A new report published today (11 September) by the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA) has highlighted significant changes in how women are giving birth in Great Britain – with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) warning that maternity services must be properly resourced to ensure safe, high-quality care for all. The NMPA’s State of […]
Joint agency approach is needed to end the inequality gap in maternal mortality rates says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives has again called for immediate and urgent measures to tackle the inequality of outcomes for women and families using maternity services. The call comes following the publication of the latest MBRRACE-UK report, Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care, into maternal deaths during and immediately following pregnancy between 2021 and 2023. The […]