RCM supports NHS Volunteer Charter
on 04 April 2019 NHS England
A pioneering charter showing how volunteers can make a valuable contribution to the NHS in England is being launched today (Thursday 4th April) by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), other health unions and Helpforce.
The aim is to ensure that the tens of thousands of people who give up their time to provide comfort and help to patients are given guidance about their roles. It’s also intended to safeguard against their use as cheap substitutes for trained health staff.
Commenting on the volunteer charter Jon Skewes, Executive Director for External Relations at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Volunteers make a wonderful contribution to our NHS, supporting the work of midwives, maternity support workers and their NHS colleagues.
“This charter is welcome as it brings clarity to the role of volunteers about how they work with NHS staff and support the people they care for.”
Notes to editors:
-The full charter can be accessed here.
-The unions behind the charter are British Association of Occupational Therapists, British Dietetic Association, British Orthoptic Society, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, College of Podiatry, Federation of Clinical Scientists, Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, Managers in Partnership, Royal College of Midwives, Society of Radiographers, UNISON and Unite.
-To contact the RCM Media Relations Team call 020 7312 3456 or email [email protected].
-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/
ENDS