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” […]
Failure of oversight means NMC is letting down midwifery educators and students and not fulfilling its duty to protect the public, says RCM
Following a Sunday Times investigation into midwifery education published today, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has reiterated its calls to invest more in the education of the next generation of midwives and those working in the university sector. The RCM said the Sunday Times’ findings reflect long-standing issues it has raised repeatedly about inadequate […]
The RCM says no time to waste as Scottish Government launches national review into maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said there is no time to waste, following the Scottish Government’s announcement of a new national review into maternity care. The RCM has previously expressed concern that reviews and investigations risk halting progress and improvement. The College said any such review must lead to urgent action as any […]
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 welcomes parliamentary debate on baby loss and urges action to prevent future tragedies
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed Monday’s parliamentary debate on baby loss, taking place during Baby Loss Awareness Week, as an opportunity to reflect on the urgent improvements needed to maternity care. Forty cross-party MPs spoke movingly in the three-hour debate, bringing to light the devastating impact of baby loss on families. Secretary […]