RCM responds to NMC report on midwifery and nursing

on 03 August 2023 RCM Maternity Services Midwifery Midwives Midwife Shortage Safe high quality care Government NHS Women Preceptorship Equality and Diversity NMC - Nursing and Midwifery Council

Today the Nursing and Midwifery Council have published a ‘Spotlight’ report on nursing and midwifery. The report found international professionals experiencing discrimination, inconsistent support for new recruits to the professions and recurring themes when maternity care goes wrong. 

Commenting on the report, Birte Harlev-Lam, Executive Director Midwife at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said:

"No health professional goes to work to do a bad job and we must all act when workplace cultures stop safe and high-quality care from happening. Crucial to this is supporting staff early in their careers and those from overseas. They should not face racism or discrimination from anyone, especially their colleagues, and when this does happen, we must root it out.

“The RCM - along with other organisations - is at the forefront of efforts to tackle these issues and drive change in our maternity services; so that staff can deliver the high-quality care they aspire to, and so that women and families get the care they rightly should expect and deserve.” 

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email [email protected].

ENDS 

The NMC report can be read at spotlight-on-nursing-and-midwifery-report-2023.pdf (nmc.org.uk).

See also the RCM’s preceptorship guide at rcm-preceptorship-document_digital.pdf.

For information on the RCM’s Race Matters initiative visit Race matters (rcm.org.uk).

Notes to Editor 

The Royal College of Midwives (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 | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team.