RCM responds to Welsh Government plan for health and social care ‘A Healthier Wales’ report

By RCM on 11 June 2018 RCM Wales Midwives MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Welsh Government Maternity Services

Today the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has responded to a new report by the Welsh Government entitled; ‘A Healthier Wales: Our Plan for Health and Social Care’.

Commenting, RCM’s Director for Wales Helen Rogers said; “The RCM very much welcomes this report.

“The RCM fully supports the aim to move maternity care from a hospital based settings back into the community. In Wales our goal is to have forty-five percent (45%) of women starting their labour outside of an obstetric unit.

“Also, the recognition within this report that a focus on health, wellbeing and prevention to help reduce health inequalities and improving population health outcomes should begin from pre-birth and during the first one thousand days of a child’s life is particularly welcome.

“It’s also vital that we value, not only midwives and maternity support workers, but all healthcare professionals who deliver services in Wales and the RCM is currently working with Welsh government to develop a new vision for maternity services.

“We look forward to working with the Government and with decision makers at regional and local level to ensure that maternity services are at the heart of the new plan for Wales."

To contact the RCM Media Relations Team call 020 7312 3456 or email media@rcm.org.uk.

ENDS

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/