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Give midwives resources to support professionalism says RCM on new guide for nurses and midwives

By RCM on 11 May 2017 NMC - Nursing and Midwifery Council Midwife Shortage Midwives Nurses

Today, the Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) from each of the four countries of the UK, supported by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), have come together to set out what professionalism means for nurses and midwives in a new document ‘Enabling professionalism in nursing and midwifery practice’. 

Commenting on the document, Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This document underpins the NMC Code which is at the centre of everything that midwives and their nursing colleagues do in their work. It will be extremely helpful to midwives and nurses as they interpret the Code in practice.  Professionalism is critical to delivering safe and high quality care for women, babies and their families.

“This document cannot exist in isolation. It is strongly tied to and influenced by the places in which our midwives and nurses work. It is critical that employers provide the systems and conditions in which midwives and nurses can flourish and practice safe care. This is increasingly challenging in an NHS which is under-resourced and facing increasing demands, a position which is true of maternity services.

“We must ensure we have the right number of staff, with the right skills in the right place at the right time. We also know that significant numbers of midwives are struggling to access continuing professional development and ongoing education and training which are essential if they are to continue to provide care of the highest standard.

“We need Governments to continue to ensure that  midwives and nurses work in  conditions that support and nurture professionalism, and that will enable them to be true to their Code.”

To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456, or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

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Notes to editors

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

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