Government pay recommendation ‘not good enough’ says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has described the Government’s pay recommendation of 2.8% for 2025/26 as ‘not good enough’ and says it won’t meet the expectations of its hard-working members. Furthermore, moving the crucial structural negotiations which formed part of this year’s pay round into 2025/26 runs counter to the Government’s previous commitment of […]
Maternal care for pregnant migrant women needs radical improvement, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling for migrant women to receive adequate language support, including translation services, and access to maternity care via multiple routes when they need it. The call comes as MBRRACE-UK published its State of the Nation report on the maternity care recent migrant women receive, which found that just […]
‘Urgent action needed to improve maternity outcomes for women and babies’
‘Maternal deaths linked to issues in pregnancy show just how desperately maternity services need more specialist midwives’ that’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as it responds to analysis by the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London who reviewed data released between 2022 and 2024 from the National Patient […]
Not once in a generation change, but a change for generations to come: RCM urges Government to be ambitious in its 10-year plan
The Royal College of Midwives has urged the Government to be ambitious for maternity care, as it submits its response to the consultation on the NHS 10-year plan. This, says the College, is an opportunity to reshape maternity services in England for the better, both for the women and families that access them and for […]
New figures show shock fall in number of UK-educated midwives joining NMC Register
New data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has revealed a shock fall in the number of UK-educated midwives who are joining the register. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has described the decrease of 12.5% as ‘significant’, given the understaffing challenges blighting maternity services. The RCM has been warning of the impact of […]
Encouraging improvements in maternity services, but still work to do says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the results of a national survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which shows that women’s experiences of maternity care are improving in some areas despite the challenges facing services and staff. The RCM says it’s pleased to see an increase in the levels of perinatal mental […]
Renfrew report must be catalyst for much needed change, says RCM
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said it’s ‘hopeful’ the long-awaited Renfrew Report will bring about a much-needed reset of midwifery services in Northern Ireland. Welcoming the report’s publication, the RCM said listening, understanding, and acting on the experiences of women and midwifery staff must be the driving force for change. However, the RCM […]
RCM Wales welcomes re-opening of Neath Port Talbot Hospital Birth Centre
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales has welcomed the long awaited re-opening of the Neath Port Talbot Hospital Birth Centre, and the reintroduction of the Swansea Bay Home Birth Service which will give women in the area much greater choice over how they give birth. The Birth Centre closed in September 2021 because […]
RCM shines light on issues impacting its members at TUC Congress
A strong RCM delegation made up of midwives, maternity support workers (MSWs) and RCM staff attended the TUC’s Annual Congress in Brighton this week. The RCM used this year’s congress as another opportunity to shine a light on the issues affecting its members, with motions around inclusivity in maternity services, equitable pay for NHS bank […]
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
By Lynne Galvin, Regional Head for the North of England on 21 August 2024 Midwifery Midwives Clinical practice The RCM’s North of England team has spent the past few weekends at Pride marches across the region. Lynne Galvin, the RCM’s Regional Head for the North of England, explains why it’s been so important Over the […]