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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
RCM keeps support for student and newly qualified midwives top of the agenda at TUC Congress
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has used one of its motions at the 2025 TUC Congress to shine a light on the ongoing challenges facing student and newly-qualified midwives. Financial hardship while studying midwifery, the accrual of significant debt, juggling childcare with clinal placement and the uncertainty of not finding full-time employment upon graduation […]
Support for midwives as NHS autumn vaccine rollout begins
As the NHS launches its autumn vaccination programme, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is providing members with support, practical tools and evidence-based information to help them respond confidently to questions from women in their care. This autumn, the NHS is offering flu and RSV vaccines to pregnant women. However, for the first time since […]
RCM responds to report which finds challenges in maternity safety are systemic
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the recommendation of a national approach to tackle maternity safety concerns set out today by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). The RCM concurs with the HSSIB scoping report that safety challenges in maternity and neonatal care are the result of national systemic issues and hopes […]
RCM welcomes ‘glimmers of hope’ for graduating midwives
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed news that funding has been unlocked to get newly- qualified midwives into their first job. Following today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Wes Streeting, NHS England will make ‘top up’ funding available to NHS Trusts to enable them to take on […]