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Bolton maternity services invest in staff to invest in better care

By RCM on 07 April 2017 Caring For You Charter

Bolton NHS Foundation 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-up to the RCM’s Caring for You Charter, which aims to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of maternity staff. This supports and enables them to continue providing the highest levels of maternity care for women and their families.

Launched in June last year the campaign is aiming to get NHS organisations across the UK to sign up to the Caring for You Charter. Half of all NHS trusts and boards in the UK have now signed-up to the Charter.

Nicky Etchells, Head of Midwifery at the Trust said: “The Trust is fully committed to supporting the Caring for You Charter, and ensuring that its principles are adhered to. We pride ourselves on our high quality compassionate care, and signing up to the Charter will support our staff to continue to deliver it.”

Lesley Wood the Royal College of Midwives Regional Officer, said: “I am delighted that the trust has signed the Charter. They have a committed team of midwives and maternity support worker, led by an enthusiastic head of midwifery committed to the welfare of her staff. 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.

For a picture of the Charter signing contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3456, or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

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Notes to editors

About Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust provides patient care at Royal Bolton Hospital, in the community at health centres and clinics, as well as services such as district nursing and intermediate care.
Staff at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit at Royal Bolton Hospital deliver almost 6,000 babies a year, and provide community midwifery support to women from Bolton and the surrounding areas.

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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