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 […]
Victory for MSWs in Wales as fairer pay deal delivers long-overdue recognition
On Maternity Support Workers Day, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Cymru is celebrating a long-awaited deal which will bring pay rises for maternity support workers (MSWs) in Wales. Following negotiations through the Welsh Partnership Forum, MSWs and other health care support workers in Wales will now be re-banded from Agenda for Change Band 2 […]
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 Board members elected
Four new midwives have been elected to join the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Board. Announcing the new Board members the RCM has thanked its members for voting in the recent election. The RCM Board is responsible for the overall direction and setting the strategic objectives of the RCM and is made up entirely of […]
Surprise Royal visit stuns unsuspecting RCM members at RCM’s national conference
Delegates at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) annual conference were left stunned at the surprise arrival of Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal to their national conference in Birmingham on Thursday. In a special speech, she thanked midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) for the incredible work they do in transforming and positively […]
RCM responds to announcement that NHSE is to be scrapped
Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement that NHS England is to be scrapped with management of health service returning to Government, the Royal College of Midwives’ (RCM) Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said: “Both the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary have said that abolishing NHS England will put more money into frontline services. Every midwife […]
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 […]
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 […]