Leading for leaders: RCM launches leadership initiative at Annual Conference

on 04 October 2018 Leadership RCM i-Learn MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Midwives

Leadership is the focus of a series of new initiatives launched today by the Royal College of Midwives today as its annual conference begins in Manchester.

Starting in 2019 the RCM is embarking on a three year programme to promote leadership and nurture and develop it in midwives, student midwives and maternity support workers (MSW).

Among the first set of initiatives is the appointment of a new Director of Leadership for the RCM. There will also be a new RCM leadership development programme. This will include leadership workshops and bespoke workshops for MSWs, early career midwives, labour ward co-ordinators and labour ward leaders, and for more senior midwives.

There will also be new leadership learning modules on the RCM’s i-learn platform to support the ongoing workshops and courses, with more to be added during 2019.

During 2019 the RCM will also launch ‘A Manifesto for Leadership’ to help raise the profile of midwifery leadership in all areas of policy and practice throughout the UK.

The RCM is also today launching a new midwifery career framework with leadership sat at the heart of it, on its i-learn platform.  The framework will outline the types of careers midwives can pursue across the four key areas of practice: education, clinical practice, management and research. Future additions will include midwifery careers in public health and policy.  The framework will showcase the real stories of midwives pursuing their careers across the breadth of midwifery practice.

These new initiatives join existing ones such as the RCM Fellowship. This recognises midwives who have made significant and important contributions to midwifery and care, and who have shown exceptional leadership, delivering excellence in education, practice or research.

Gill Walton, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “It is crucial that we have good leaders at every level of midwifery. Leadership must be a golden thread running through the profession to ensure that our maternity services are as safe as they can be and that the care is of the highest possible quality.

“Without good leadership services suffer, midwives suffer and most importantly, the mothers, their babies and their families suffer. Good leadership should not be a hope or an afterthought, it is crucial and central to all we do. This is why the RCM is taking the lead in promoting and developing leadership in midwives, student midwives and maternity support workers, and why we have launched our programme of leadership today.”

For more information on the RCM’s annual conference go to https://www.rcm.org.uk/RCM-events

For more information on the RCM’s resources for its members including leadership events and the career framework go to http://www.ilearn.rcm.org.uk/ 

 

Note 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/.

 

 

ENDS