The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said that the next Government must prioritise the improvement of maternity services.
The RCM believes that the future Government must show creativity and flexibility around maternity staffing and provide facilities that are fit for purpose.
The College claims that these changes to improve the safety of Britain’s maternity services could also make them the envy of the world.
RCM Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said:
“The cost of understaffing in maternity care is huge. We know that staff are working way beyond their hours in order to provide the necessary care and support to women.”
“In just one week this year, we calculated that midwives worked an additional 141,000 unpaid hours. Meanwhile, in England alone in 2022/23, NHS Trusts spent more than £112m on agency and bank midwives.
“Sorting out shift patterns may not grab the headlines, but if we get it right it could be absolutely transformational for maternity services – for the women and families accessing them, and the staff working in them.”
A lack of flexibility and fairness regarding working patterns is forcing a number of skilled and experienced staff out of midwifery, or towards bank and agency roles which come at great cost to the NHS.
The RCM is calling on the next Parliament to introduce legislation to facilitate greater flexibility around staffing patterns, recognising the needs of midwives and maternity support workers, in order to stop the exodus.
The College has also stressed the importance of investment in maternity facilities, with frequent reports of peeling paintwork, collapsing ceilings and rooms that are not fit to accommodate the necessary equipment.
Gill added: “Maternity safety is being undermined by our hospital estates. Some consultation rooms are so small, not only do they struggle to accommodate both the woman and the midwife providing care, but it’s impossible to fit in necessary equipment too.
“Maternity care is universal. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year. In spite of this, it’s too often at the bottom of the list for investment. Under the next Government, this has to change.”
The RCM has almost 50,000 members, and is calling on them to consider each party’s commitments to maternity care ahead of next Thursday’s election.
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