Keelie Barrett joins RCM Board as first MSW member

on 18 September 2019 RCM Board Elections MSWs - Maternity Support Workers

A maternity support worker (MSW) from East Lancs is the first MSW to be elected to the The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) national Board.

Keelie Barrett a MSW at East Lancashire Hospitals took up her role on the RCM Board this week, Keelie is also a RCM MSW advocate, health and safety representative, steward and previously acted as chairperson for her branch. She has a very active role in campaigning for better working conditions and equal treatment for maternity staff. She will bring her extensive activist know-how to the RCM Board.

This year marks a decade of the RCM MSW membership and accomplishments over the last ten years. These include; the launch of the Health Education England MSW Competency, Education, and Career Development Framework; the first MSW member to join the Implementation Team alongside heads of midwifery, educationalists and other stakeholders. An increasing number of MSWs are being elected as RCM workplace representatives, branch officers and MSW workplace advocates and now a MSW representative on the RCM Board.    

Keelie joins additional new members to the RCM Board following board elections earlier this year.

Keelie said: “I am delighted to have been elected to the RCM board, especially as the first MSW to do so. I look forward to being able to represent the views of MSW members at this national level. As a board member I wish to play a pivotal role in continuing to build on the successes of the previous board and be able to positively inspire other MSWs to take up active roles within their local branches, regionally and nationally.”

Find out more on the newly elected RCM board members here.

ENDS

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

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/