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 […]
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 […]
New RCM Director for Northern Ireland
A midwife with over 30 years clinical, academic and strategic midwifery experience has been appointed as the new Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Director for Northern Ireland. Dr Dale Spence has held several midwifery roles throughout her longstanding career including at government level, as Midwifery Officer within the Chief Nursing Officers senior team in Northern […]
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 […]
Improving maternity care and support for pregnant women with disabilities
In her latest blog Clare Livingstone, Head of Professional Policy and Practice shares an update on the RCM’s work to improve maternity care and support for pregnant women with disabilities Disabled women make up 20% of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the UK, equating to 2.9 million women. Despite this, emerging evidence here […]
The bravery of RCM members, always shining through
RCM Chief Executive Gill Walton shares her reflections on our 2025 conference, and the meaning of bravery in maternity services and midwifery education RCM Conference is always a whirlwind. There’s so much going on and so many people to say hello to. It was good to have a bank holiday this time and good to […]
‘The impact you have on the women in your care is huge’ RCM’s Chief Executive tells national conference
‘Every family should leave maternity services whole and healthy’. That is the clear message from the leader of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as she opened the RCM’s National Conference in Birmingham today. Gill Walton also reminded delegates that ‘the impact your midwifery practice has on women and their families is huge’. Highlighting staffing […]