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'NUH demonstrates commitment to supporting midwives by signing up to national charter'

By RCM on 01 November 2016 Caring For You campaign Caring For You Charter Midwives Women

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is working with The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) to improve the support available for midwives and maternity colleagues.

The Trust’s maternity services have signed the Royal College of Midwives’ (RCM) Caring for You Charter, which aims to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of midwives. This supports and enables them to continue providing the highest levels of maternity care for women and their families.

Alison Atkinson, Head of Midwifery at the Trust, said: “Signing up to the Caring for You campaign was an excellent opportunity for NUH to demonstrate to our staff that we value them and the work they do. Every day our midwives and support workers do amazing things under challenging circumstances. They all deserve to feel cared for and safe.”

RCM Regional Officer for the East Midlands Suzanne Miller said: “I am delighted that the Trust has signed the Charter. They have a committed team of midwives and maternity support workers. This is a very positive move by the Trust and I welcome their commitment to staff and the people they care for.”

When signing the charter, organisations are committing to five key principles:

  • Working in partnership with the RCM Health and Safety Representative to develop and implement an action plan about health, safety and wellbeing issues that are important to the maternity workforce and maternity service users.
  • Ensuring that midwives and maternity support workers have access to a variety of shift patterns and flexible working, and promoting a positive workplace culture around working time including taking breaks.
  • Fostering a positive working environment for all by signing up to the RCM and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)’s statement of commitment, calling for zero tolerance policy on undermining and bullying behaviours.
  • Enabling midwives and maternity support workers to access occupational health and other organisational policies for their mental and physical health, safety and wellbeing.
  • Nurturing a compassionate and supportive workplace that cares for midwives and maternity support workers so that they can care for women and their families.

 

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About the RCM

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. It provides workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with a broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.

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