Recruitment Of Midwives Needs A Boost, Says The Royal College Of Midwives, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 17 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Royal College of Midwives says the numbers of NHS midwives is not enough, despite the increase.

Responding to the latest NHS workforce statistics published today, Louise Silverton, Deputy General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "The slight increase in the number of midwives is welcome, but it trails in the wake of the rapidly rising birthrate which is swamping midwives and affecting the quality of care they can give. Our latest figures also show that almost half of all midwives are set to retire over the next decade.

"The Government is committed to bringing 4000 extra midwives into the NHS by 2012, and we want to see recruitment of midwives by Trusts treated as a priority, and accelerated and sustained. Only by doing this will the quality of care to women and their babies improve."

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) aims to promote and advance the profession of the midwife. The RCM represents over 95% of the UK's midwives and is one of the world's oldest and one of the largest midwifery organisations, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006. It is also a trade union. http://www.rcm.org.uk