Commenting on the Nursing and Midwifery Council Report on Local Supervising Authorities’ annual reports, published today (Friday, 15th January 2009), Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This is a welcome report that identifies encouraging progress in maternity services, but also highlights the challenges facing maternity services of rising birthrates and more complex births.
 
“There is no doubt that the government is committed to increasing the number of midwives, and this is happening. However, we are still playing catch-up and there is still a long way to go to match midwife numbers to birthrates, and take the pressure off the system. The RCM is working with the Government to increase midwife numbers.
 
“It is encouraging that supervisors of midwives to midwife ratios have improved in some areas. I would want to see concerted action to meet the recommended ratio in areas that are falling short. This is a key role that contributes to the protection of women and helps midwives to maintain high standards of practice. This is a central role not an add-on and Trusts and health boards should see it as a priority.”
 
 
For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3456
 
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Midwives is the voice of midwifery. We are the UK’s only trade union and professional organisation led by midwives for midwives. The vast majority of the midwifery profession are our members. The RCM promotes midwifery, quality maternity services and professional standards. We support and represent our members individually and collectively in all four UK countries.  We influence on behalf of our members and for the interests of the women and families for which they care.  For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.