RCM responds to Scottish Government announcement on more student midwife places

on 08 November 2018 Student midwives

Today Scotland’s Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced an increase in the number of student midwives in training for the next year. Responding to the announcement, Dr Mary Ross-Davie, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Director for Scotland said: “The RCM is pleased that the Scottish Government have listened to us. Today’s announcement on additional student midwife training places in Scotland is good news not only for our maternity services, but particularly for those wanting to become midwives.

“These additional midwife training places were really needed and will go towards future proofing Scotland’s maternity services to ensure that women and their babies will continue to receive safe high quality maternity care.

“The RCM believes this increase in student numbers, along with the Government’s commitment to sustaining and supporting return to practice programmes, the ongoing provision of bursary support for student midwives are a positive response to the growing midwifery workforce issues across Scotland.

“Importantly we must now ensure these additional students have a really positive learning experience not only in their universities, but also in their midwifery practice. For this to happen the RCM believes there needs to be additional resources for midwives in practice. We most also continue offering mentorship to support our midwifery students and have enough lecturers to deliver high quality teaching and support.

“The RCM hopes to see equivalent increases in midwifery lecturer posts across Scotland and increases in the numbers of midwife mentors to match these increases in student midwife training places announced today.”

To contact the RCM Media Relations Team call 020 7312 3456 or email [email protected].

See the Scottish Government announcement at https://www.gov.scot/news/supporting-the-next-generation-of-nhs-staff/.

 

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The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/