Country news: Wales

By Helen Rogers on 25 May 2018 Midwives Magazine Wales RCM Wales NHS Wales

News and updates from RCM Wales by director Helen Rogers (Midwives Summer 2018).

Strategic Think Tank:

We were delighted to be able to host our third annual think tank in March. This was in partnership with the Welsh Government and brought together the key strategic thinkers from maternity services in Wales. The focus was on the future vision for maternity services and to reach a consensus on how continuity of carer could be delivered. It was a very productive two days and all of the work will feed into the vision, which will be launched in the autumn.

Union Learning Fund:

RCM Wales has successfully bid to the Wales Union Learning Fund for 2018-19. This year’s project will focus on delivering digital literacy training, mental health awareness training and project sustainability.

First Birthday:

The Ithon Birth Centre celebrated its first birthday in March with many families joining in with the festivities.

It has been a busy year for the local midwifery team with 42 women having their babies locally in Powys – this is over double the number born the previous year. This figure also equates to 53% of low-risk women having their babies in Powys.

Congratulations:

We would like to welcome Kerri Eilertsen-Feeney to Wales. Kerri took up her new post as HoM in Cwm Taf University Health Board. We extend our congratulations to Julie Richards on her successful appointment to the head of midwifery and sexual health in Powys Teaching Health Board.

Midwifery Leadership and Development Programme:

The 2017-18 programme has finished and the feedback from participants and HoMs has been excellent. The programme provided development opportunities for midwives via a coaching model by supporting them to undertake a project. Plans are now in place to continue this programme, working again in partnership with the Welsh Government. A new cohort will start on 13 June.

Pay:

Following the pay offer in England, the Welsh Partnership Forum Strategic Pay Subgroup has been meeting in order to find a way forward in Wales.

The Big Conversation:

Like the rest of the UK, we have been out and about engaging with members and encouraging everyone to have their say and respond to the five questions that the RCM has set for them. The level of engagement from members and their willingness not only to answer the questions but also to put forward their views has impressed everyone in the team.