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 […]
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” […]
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 […]
Historic move sees RCM pull out of NHS Pay Review Body process
In a historic move after two decades the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced that it is withdrawing from the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) process for 2026/27. The decision the trade union says ‘it hasn’t taken lightly’ but one they feel is ‘absolutely necessary’ given lack of progress on NHS pay reform for […]
‘Utterly unfair’ that RCM members in Northern Ireland are still without pay uplift
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Northern Ireland says it’s pressing the Northern Ireland Executive for progress on an overdue pay award for its members. The RCM has described the delay as ‘utterly unfair’ and ‘completely demoralising’ for hard working midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) The Health and Social Care (HSC) Trade Unions […]
RCM Cymru welcomes announcement of new Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel
Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Cymru has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel, which will undertake a current state ‘rapid independent assessment’ of maternity services in Wales. However, the RCM has cautioned that this assessment must strengthen and support the improvement work that is already underway, not derail […]
Big changes for NHS Wales Maternity Support Workers – here’s what you need to know
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has been advocating for fairer pay for Bands 2 and 3 Maternity Support Workers in Wales. Vicky Richards, the RCM’s National Officer for Wales, explains what’s changing – and what you need to do if it affects you. If you’re a maternity support worker (MSW) in Wales, you might […]
RCM Wales set to become RCM Cymru
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales is officially rebranding as RCM Cymru from 8 August 2025. The change reflects the RCM’s commitment to the Welsh language and its use among RCM members, and the Welsh-speaking women and families that use maternity services across Wales. One of the key factors to delivering more personalised […]
RCM Wales yn newid ei enw i RCM Cymru
Mae Coleg Brenhinol y Bydwragedd yng Nghymru (RCM Wales) yn ailfrandio’n swyddogol fel RCM Cymru o 8 Awst 2025. Mae’r newid yn adlewyrchu ymrwymiad yr RCM i’r iaith Gymraeg a’i defnydd ymhlith aelodau’r undeb, a’r menywod a’r teuluoedd Cymraeg eu hiaith sy’n defnyddio gwasanaethau mamolaeth ledled Cymru. Un o’r prif bethau sydd eu hangen i […]