Balance between women’s choices and midwives’ safety must be paramount in application of new NMC principles
New principles published today by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for supporting women’s choices in maternity care are a step forward in bringing much-needed clarity, consistency and confidence to practice, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The new principles, which involved input from the RCM, have been designed to help midwives and […]
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 […]
Bereavement midwives are incredible – they help us embrace pregnancies after loss instead of enduring it
For Rainbow Baby Awareness Week, Rachel Burn, Media Relations Officer at the Royal College of Midwives, shares her personal story of pregnancy after loss – and the vital role her bereavement midwife played in helping her navigate it. When I saw a faint line on a pregnancy test, I had a panic attack. My husband […]
Royal College of Midwives welcomes appointment of Baroness Amos as chair of maternity and neonatal rapid review – but urges Health Secretary to pick up the pace
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the announcement of Baroness Valerie Amos as chair of the review of maternity and neonatal safety, announced by the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care in June. However, the College’s reaction is tempered by frustration of the pace of the so-called rapid review. Gill Walton, […]
RCM backs faster midwife access – but warns against widening inequalities
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed a new NHS England initiative that allows women to use an online tool to refer themselves to their local maternity services – cutting out the need to see a GP first. It aims to speed up access to crucial booking in appointments and has already been used […]
RCM welcomes ‘glimmers of hope’ for graduating midwives
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed news that funding has been unlocked to get newly- qualified midwives into their first job. Following today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Wes Streeting, NHS England will make ‘top up’ funding available to NHS Trusts to enable them to take on […]
Coleg Brenhinol y Bydwragedd yn hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg mewn gwasanaethau mamolaeth yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
Gall defnyddio’r Gymraeg mewn gwasanaethau mamolaeth drawsnewid profiadau geni – gan wella canlyniadau i fenywod a theuluoedd. Dyna’r neges y mae Coleg Brenhinol y Bydwragedd (RCM) yn ei chyflwyno i’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ddydd Gwener 8 Awst, wrth iddo gynnal bore o drafodaeth yn canolbwyntio ar rôl hanfodol y Gymraeg mewn gwasanaethau mamolaeth. Mae’r gallu i […]
RCM champions Welsh language in maternity services at National Eisteddfod
Using Welsh in maternity services can transform birth experiences – improving outcomes for women and families. That’s the message the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is taking to the National Eisteddfod on Friday 8 August, as it hosts a morning of discussion focused on the vital role of the Welsh language in maternity services. The […]
On call proposals scrapped by Trust following RCM ballot result
Confirmation that plans to implement a grossly unfair acute on call rota for midwives in South Tyneside and Sunderland have been scrapped has been welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) The RCM says the U-turn by the Trust is as a result of ‘members collectively standing strong together’ and turning out in their […]
Health Secretary tells safety summit ‘there will be consequences for Trust Boards for maternity failures’
‘There will be consequences for Chairs and Trust boards for maternity failures.’ That was the message from the Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, as he addressed a room full of NHS leaders today. At a first-of-its-kind summit on maternity and neonatal safety hosted by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal […]