Midwifery graduate survey shows one in three haven’t secured a job
A UK-wide survey of newly qualified midwives (NQM) by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has revealed a troubling picture of the employment landscape facing the profession’s newest entrants. Among the respondents who have received their NMC PIN – the professional registration which is necessary to be able to work as a midwife – 31% […]
Heart Unions Week: When midwives and MSWs speak out, change happens
This Heart Unions Week, we’re celebrating the real difference collective action makes in maternity services. From tackling unfair parking costs and securing uniform equality, to improving workplace safety and winning flexible working appeals, RCM members are proving the power of standing together. These wins show what’s possible when midwives and maternity support workers raise their […]
‘Enough is enough’: Royal College of Midwives calls on Government to take urgent action with safe staffing campaign
Crucial campaign launched at Westminster this week The RCM has set out five clear priorities which will improve maternity safety – and is calling on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to act now The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling on the Government to take urgent action to address chronic staffing shortages in maternity services that are putting […]
RCM Awards 2026 shortlist showcases midwives and maternity support workers making a difference across the UK
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has revealed the shortlist for 2026’s RCM Awards, celebrating midwives, maternity support workers, educators, students and multidisciplinary teams whose work is transforming care for women, babies and families across the UK. In total, there are 63 nominees on the shortlist, with the winners being announced at an awards ceremony in London next month. Gill Walton, RCM Chief Executive, […]
Midwifery and maternity leaders congratulated in New Year Honours
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) congratulates midwifery and maternity leaders recognised in the New Year Honours for their outstanding contribution to maternity care. Among those honoured are RCM members whose work has had a profound impact on women, babies and families across the UK, alongside colleagues from across maternity services whose leadership and advocacy has played a key role in strengthening midwifery and maternity care. Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see […]
RCM highlights midwives are ‘exhausted, overstretched and burnt out’
Commenting on a campaign to reduce midwives’ working hours, Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “Midwives and maternity support workers are facing extreme pressures and as this campaign highlights, they are exhausted, overstretched and working in unsustainable conditions. “The evidence is stark. The Royal College of Midwives’ surveys have shown that 45% of midwives […]
Minimum wage rise highlights need for NHS pay reform, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned that increases to the National Minimum Wage announced in last week’s Budget underline the urgent need to reform NHS pay bands. Last week’s Budget announced that from April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for workers aged over 21 will rise to £12.71 an hour. While the RCM […]
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 […]
RCM to help shape Government’s Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the Government’s invitation to help shape the new Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce in England. The taskforce, which will be chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, will turn the national maternity investigation’s recommendations into a national action plan. Following the RCM’s […]
Cabinet Secretary pledges ‘turbo-charged’ progress on maternity workforce taskforce at RCM SMiLe Conference
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray, has committed to accelerate action on maternity workforce challenges as he addressed the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) SMiLe Conference. Speaking to a packed and energised audience on Thursday (13 November), the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that implementation of the Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce recommendations will be “turbo-charged” […]