Greater equity and equality needed for maternity services

The Royal College of Midwives opened its annual conference today with a call for greater equity and equality for those working in – and supported by – maternity services.

Through its Race Matters campaign, launched earlier this year, the RCM is committed to do more and better to improve the experience of black, Asian and minority ethnic maternity staff. The annual conference, held virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, heard that racial equality was now the golden thread that ran through everything the RCM did and also reiterated the RCM’s commitment to improving the outcomes of black, Asian and ethnic minority pregnant women.

Gill Walton, chief executive of the RCM, also told the conference that now was the time for pay to ‘level up’ as well. As such, the RCM is stepping up its campaign to ensure all its members receive an early and substantial pay rise that is fully funded by the government.

In July, the RCM wrote to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to get round the table and kickstart pay talks and they are applying the same pressure on politicians in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

She said: “For too long, we have tinkered at the edges of tackling race issues. Now is the time for us to focus on race equality and equity: the future must look different. It is unacceptable that black and Asian midwives and maternity support workers are more likely to experience bullying at work and face disciplinary processes and are less likely to advance in their careers. It’s time to level up.”

She went on to say: “When Covid hit, each and every one of you stepped up to ensure the pregnant women in your care continued to receive the care and support they need – and you did all of it in spite of the lack of resources. The government owes you more than applause on the doorstep – it owes you an early and substantial pay rise.

“We will submit evidence to the Pay Review Body in November, but we need each and every one of you to stand with us to continue to pressure the government to fully fund the award. We cannot let them off the hook, we want them to deliver an early and significant pay rise because you deserve it.”