RCM says must learn lessons from PHE COVID-19 BAME report

on 17 June 2020 Midwives RCM Midwifery Maternity Services RCM CEO Covid-19 Alcohol and pregnancy A-EQUIP BAME

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says we must learn lessons from a Public Health England report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities published yesterday.

Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "Inequality was already embedded in our society and in our health services before the pandemic. Women from black and Asian backgrounds were more likely to die in pregnancy and after having a baby, and more than half of pregnant women recently admitted to hospital with COVID-19 were black or Asian.

“The pandemic has brought the terrible issues of racism and inequality out of the shadows and into the full glare of daylight. It hits and hurts those from BAME communities using our NHS and the many NHS staff from those communities who care for them. We must learn the lessons and we must act on this report.”

ENDS

To contact the RCM media office call 020 7312 3456 or email media@rcm.org.uk.Notes to Editors

To view the RCM’s resources on COVID-19 including information and guidance for NHS maternity staff and pregnant women, visit https://www.rcm.org.uk/coronavirus/.

The Public Health England report can be read at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-understanding-the-impact-on-bame-communities.

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/.