1. Home
  2. Media releases
  3. 'Betsi maternity services invest in staff to invest in better care'

'Betsi maternity services invest in staff to invest in better care'

By RCM on 10 October 2016 Maternity Services

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is working with The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) to improve the support available for midwives and maternity colleagues.

The Board has signed the Royal College of Midwives’ (RCM) Caring for You Charter, which aims to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of midwives so they are able to continue providing the highest levels of maternity care for women and their families.

Launched in June, the campaign is aiming to get NHS organisations across the UK to sign up to the Caring for You Charter.

Fiona Giraud, Associate Chief of Staff for Nursing and Midwifery, said: “Our staff are our most valuable asset in providing the best quality maternity care.

“We’re delighted to sign the Caring for You Charter, which illustrates our commitment to providing a supportive working environment to all of our staff.”

RCM National Officer for Wales Vicky Richards, said: “I am delighted that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has signed the Charter. They have a committed team of midwives and maternity support workers at the Health Board. This is a very positive move and I welcome their commitment to staff and the people they care for.”

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

  • Work 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.
  • Ensure that midwives and maternity support workers have access to a variety of shift patterns and flexible working and promote a positive workplace culture around working time including taking breaks.
  • Foster a positive working environment for all by signing up to the RCM/RCOG statement of commitment calling for zero tolerance policy on undermining and bullying behaviours.
  • Enable midwives and maternity support workers to access occupational health and other organisational policies for their mental and physical health, safety and wellbeing.
  • Nurture a compassionate and supportive workplace that cares for midwives and maternity support workers so that they can care for women and their families.
Top