RCM and RCOG joint statement on multi-disciplinary working

By RCM on 18 March 2018 RCOG - Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Safety Midwives Multi Disciplinary Working Obstetricians Maternity Services

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) are committed to speaking with one voice on maternity safety and are united in their goal that every woman should have a good birth, with the best possible experience and outcomes for mother and her baby. They share a vision for a modern maternity team whose common purpose is supporting best practice, mutually respectful relationships, strong leadership and placing the woman’s voice and need at the centre of her care.

Multi-professional working plays a vital role in the provision of high quality care for mothers and their babies. The RCOG and RCM both recognise this to be a key component in the delivery of safe maternity care and emphasise the importance of respectful team working to build a supportive workplace culture.

The RCM and RCOG continue to work together with midwives and obstetricians, providers, health leaders, policy makers and commissioners, on both a national and local level, to ensure services are fit for purpose and able to meet the needs of women today and in the future.

 

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The RCM’s Labour Leaders Programme ‘Working Together for Safer Care’ is an interactive workshop aimed at multidisciplinary maternity teams. It was designed and delivered collaboratively by the RCM and RCOG. 

The RCOG’s national clinical programme, ‘Each Baby Counts’, aims to reduce the number of babies who die or are left severely disabled as a result of incidents occurring during term labour. In its latest report, it shows that communication between teams is a crucial factor in ensuring patient safety. Its recommendations are aimed at doctors and midwives working in maternity units across the UK and calls for work to address factors affecting team working and communication

The RCM and RCOG are committed to working with hospital trusts and services to provide safe and sustainable services that improve outcomes for babies and mothers. The Invited Review Service, undertaken by midwives and obstetricians, is designed to help employers, commissioners and managers provide safe and sustainable services that improve outcomes for women’s health.

The RCM and RCOG where both involved in the development of the ‘Better Births’ report which recommends multi-professional working to deliver safe and personalised care for women and their babies. The RCOG also sits on the board of the Maternity Transformation Programme which is the delivery arm of the report.

RCM/RCOG joint statement on the Maternity Safety Strategy.

RCM/RCOG joint statement in response to MBBRACE report. 

RCOG/RCM joint release on new web-based toolkit to tackle undermining and bullying behaviour in the workplace.