The Government is encouraging midwives who have left the register, at least within the last 3 years, to consider re-entering the workforce to support the NHS during the period of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The NMC has established an emergency register, to allow midwives who have retired or are working elsewhere to return to the profession. The full details are here.
The RCM supports this because keeping maternity services safe is so important, there are many midwives no longer working who have skills and experience that will be of enormous help during this period. With proper preparation and support they will make an invaluable contribution.
If you have received an invite to join the emergency register or are considering whether you can help out during this period, the following might be helpful:
- Firstly this is totally voluntary. No one can compel you to return to working as a midwife, nurse or support worker if you do not wish to, do not feel able to or feel this would be inappropriate
- The emergency register will operate only for the period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Whilst no-one knows how long this will last, it is fair to assume that if you rejoin, you may be needed to work in some capacity as a midwife (or nurse) for the next 6-9 months. However you can opt back out of the register at any time.
- Joining the emergency register will be free.
- You will need to assess for yourself or you may wish to discuss with an NMC registered colleague with whom you may still be in contact, which aspects of midwifery care you are confident and competent to resume practicing. There will be no requirement to demonstrate number of previous hours in practice completed.
- We would suggest that you consider:
- Which area of midwifery practice would you feel most confident and competent to work in – antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal
- Which environment would you feel most comfortable working in – home/community/midwifery led unit/obstetric unit
- How familiar are you with current IT systems/equipment/policies and protocols
- What would you need by way of induction to enable you to feel confident working back in the NHS - If you are currently an RCM member in our retired or associate categories, we will extend the benefits of full membership to you for the duration that you are on the emergency register. We will need your new emergency registration number when you receive it.
RCM i-learn has been made available for 3 months free of charge, for midwives returning to practice, support workers and senior student midwives during Covid-19 pandemic. For more information on modules available and how to access click here