RCM responds to First 1000 Days of Life report
on 26 February 2019 Health and social care Report Maternity Services
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today responded to the Health and Social Care Committees’ First 1000 Days of Life report.
Commenting, Gill Walton Chief Executive and General Secretary at the RCM said; “The RCM welcomes this report and its recommendations for the implementation of a national strategy for improving the first 1000 days for children, parents and families.
“It’s disappointing to read the Committees description of widespread variation in provision of services and a lack of information sharing between healthcare agencies and this has to be improved as a matter of urgency.
“We really welcome the reports recognition of the benefits of continuity of carer. Evidence shows us that continuity of carer works. It works for women and it enables midwives and their maternity colleagues to deliver safer care and the RCM is committed to ensuring our members understand the value of continuity of carer for women and their babies. So we are pleased that as part of a refresh of the Healthy Child Programme that there is a commitment that those families will see the same midwife and the same health visitor for their appointments.
“The reports findings also highlight the adverse impact that the shortages of midwives and other staff, including specialist professionals in areas such as perinatal mental health care can have and the RCM agrees. Staffing shortages impact heavily on the time midwives have to spend with women and their families and this in turn impacts on their ability to provide quality public health advice and support which would particularly benefit vulnerable and at risk families. Therefore the RCM cannot stress enough how important is that we have the right levels of staff, in the right places to deliver safe, high quality maternity care.”
A full copy of the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee ‘First 1000 days of Life’ will be available to view here from February 26th: https://www.parliament.uk/healthcom
For further information please contact the RCM Media Relations Team on 020 7312 3456 or email [email protected]
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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/.