How to fix the midwifery staffing crisis (RCM, 28 February 2024)

Summary

The UK is suffering from a chronic shortage of midwives, a shortage that has had an inevitable impact on maternity safety. While services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland certainly have their challenges, it is England where the problems have been most severe, with a current estimated shortage of 2,500 midwives. The result is that midwives and working an estimated 100,000 hours’ unpaid overtime every week— burnout is widespread and the NHS is struggling to retain staff. This report by the Royal College of Midwives makes several suggestions to recruit and retain midwives in our maternity services. These include improving the quality of midwifery education. paying student tuition fees and employers developing more flexible working practices.