Activism and the RCM

Following the release of the RCM’s brand new roadmap to better perinatal mental health, we are joined by maternity staff who specialise in supporting women and families impacted, while looking at what investment and improvements are needed from the Government.

In a very special episode of the RCM podcast, we are joined by the Chief Midwifery Officers of all four nations to talk about their midwifery journeys and their aspirations for midwifery and maternity care.

This month, midwives and student midwives from across the globe travelled to Bali for the International Confederation of Midwives’ 33rd Triennial Congress. With all the pressures faced by maternity services here in the UK, it’s understandable that many of us focus on what’s directly in front of us. In this podcast episode we are broadening our horizons to take a look at how international midwifery influences our practice here and how we too can influence midwifery across the globe.

Stepping out of the scrubs and into the sequins. In this episode we speak with this year’s RCM Award winners and hear first hand about the incredible projects and partnerships that have improved care for women and families and colleagues too – the work that made them today’s shining stars in the service. We open with the special address from this year’s host, Baroness Floella Benjamin, commending you on your work – work that is full of heart and soul and adventure.  

Every day is a school day – it’s a phrase that could be written for working in and around maternity. We are continuously learning, from the colleagues around us and the women in our care to the education and training that is part and parcel of midwifery and maternity support. In this month’s episode, we look at education through different lenses and hear from students, midwives and midwifery educators about their experiences.

We often hear the phrase you can't pour from an empty cup but how often do we really apply that to ourselves? All too often we feel guilty about looking after ourselves and when we do put ourselves on our to do list it is often last on the list. In this episode we're going to be looking at self-care and suggesting that looking after ourselves is the best way of looking after others. Hear from inspirational women and RCM members across the UK on how self-care has helped their health and wellbeing.

The RCM podcast is back! In the newest episode of our podcast series, we speak with members on how they became more involved in activism and in the RCM, what inspired them to get more engaged, what was happening at the time and what it has taught them both professionally and personally.

Wondering what the recent pay award announcement means in real terms for you? Why the RCM has launched a consultation with all midwives and MSWs working in the NHS in England and Wales? If so, this is the episode for you!  Gemma is joined by RCM's Director of Employment Relations Alice Sorby to hear more on how RCM members can have their say on pay and decide if they wish to be balloted on industrial action. This episode includes updates for members not only in England and Wales but in Scotland and Northern Ireland too. Plus Lynn Collins RCM's new Director for Field Services joins this episode to discuss how the RCM is rebooting Activism this summer. How you can become a pay Activist and more on plans to ensure every member's voice is heard. England and Wales - NHS pay award and next steps (rcm.org.uk) Become a pay activist (rcm.org.uk) RCM Annual Conference

Re:Birth was a project led by the RCM with an aim to find a consensus on the language used by midwives, maternity support workers, and all maternity staff used to describe birth and labour. The year-long project listened to women's voices to really hear and learn more about how the language that was used during their maternity care impacted their experiences. While the project was led by the RCM it was truly collaborative and brought together not only midwives, but obstetricians, groups representing women and key maternity care stakeholders. In this episode, Gemma speaks to Dr. Mary Ross Davie and Dr. Juliet Rayment to learn more about how and why this came about. Maureen Treadwell from the Birth Trauma Association also shares her involvement in the project and the impact language can have on women's maternity experiences. Obstetrician Alex Heazell discusses how important the language he and his colleagues use is and his hopes for the outcomes of the project practically. The Re:Birth project also developed a tool kit to support all maternity staff and Consultant Midwife Dr Angela Kerrigan joins this episode to explain more about how midwives and MSWs can use the new conversation starter guide in their day-to-day practice. You can read the Re:Birth summary report here New maternity lexicon puts personalisation of care front and centre (rcm.org.uk)

Want to know more about what the RCM as a trade union is doing for you? Well, this is the episode for you! In our May episode, we hear from RCM’s newly appointed Executive Director Trade Union Suzanne Tyler about what her team is doing to improve workplace support for midwives and maternity support workers across the UK. Hear more about the RCM’s key priorities to improve member experiences. Plus more on the upcoming TUC rally on Saturday 18 June on how you and your RCM Branch can get planning to attend. Also, in this episode, RCM Activist and midwife Shani Woodbridge shares her experience of being a steward. If you have ever considered becoming an RCM Activist or if you just want to know more about how RCM Activists can support you in the workplace, don’t miss this frank and inspiring conversation. Emma Barr RCM’s Event’s Advisor also chats to Gemma for more on what happens behind the scenes at the RCM in planning member events. And with not one, but two Activist Conferences taking place this summer virtually and in-person Emma has all the details on why don’t want to miss these free events. TUC Rally (rcm.org.uk) Virtual Activist Conference 22 June  Activists conference Warwick Race Course September