The RCM standards for midwifery services in the UK

Summary

Crucial reports and strategic reviews about the quality of maternity care in different parts of the UK have consistently identified that improvements should be underpinned by implementation of existing evidence-based clinical standards.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) identified that to deliver compassionate, well-led, professional evidence-based midwifery care which maximises midwives’ contributions to improving quality also required midwifery service standards within a framework which could be used by service providers, commissioners and RCM members.

A small project team was tasked with developing The RCM Standards for midwifery services in the UK. The team developed the standards using a pragmatic review of the evidence available and through consensus informed by views, comments and suggestions on draft outputs from respondents.