RCM welcomes long overdue pay award for members in Northern Ireland

A long overdue pay award has finally arrived for midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) in Northern Ireland. In a letter to Health and Social Care unions the Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt has confirmed that RCM members in Northern Ireland will receive a pay rise of 5.5%. The proposed pay award is on par […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Midwife wins prestigious award for her empathy during bereavement

A midwife and sonographer from Orkney, Melissa Lindsay, has won the Midwife of the Year Award at Scotland’s Health Awards, which were held in Edinburgh at a dazzling awards ceremony last Thursday. The awards celebrate the outstanding work and commitment health care workers in the Health and Social Care network show to patients and communities […]

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 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 […]

Y Fantais Gymraeg i Undebau – The Welsh Advantage for Unions

The RCM is working with TUC Cymru and other unions in Wales to recognise, support, safeguard and grow Welsh-speaking union membership across Wales. Following the TUC Cymru Congress in May this year, the RCM committed to promote the take-up of the ‘Cynnig Cymraeg’ (the Welsh offer). The RCM joined TUC Cymru at the Eisteddfod on […]

RCM respond to reports on PRB pay recommendation

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has responded to reports that the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) has recommended an above-inflation pay rise of 5.5%. The PRB says this is in line with increases in private sector pay, that’s according to The Times today. Thousands of hard-working midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been waiting with increasing frustration […]

RCM calls on CQC to seek partnership, not punishment, in regulation

CQC – Care Quality Commission RCM Maternity Services Safety Safe high quality care The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for a new approach in hospital inspections, following an apology from the Interim Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the implementation of their new regulatory approach. In an open letter published this week, Kate Terroni […]