RCM: “When it comes to midwifery staffing, warning lights should be flashing red for Manx Care"

The Royal College of Midwives says urgent action is 'needed to improve safety, care and choice for women' on the Isle of Man.

The union adds that there's a serious shortage of midwives as well as a lack of resources -putting the safety and wellbeing of women, babies and staff at risk.

It adds around a third of midwives on Island are approaching retirement age, and there is a lack of consultant midwives.

Karen Murray - the RCM’s Director for Northern Ireland and its lead for the Isle of Man, said there should be red lights flashing about maternity services in the Manx government - and these warning lights - cannot and musn't be ignored. 

She adds: 

"Women’s choices are more limited than in the UK, they do not have the option of midwife led care or a home birth. The island has no consultant midwives who play a pivotal role in improving care and safety in maternity units. Added to this the island lacks specialist midwives to support women with issues such as mental health problems. There are also no trained maternity support workers (MSW) and these are also needed says the RCM. MSWs work on maternity units widely across the UK, supporting midwives and freeing up their time to provide more focused care for women.

Maternity Services on the Isle of Man need urgent strategic direction. There are serious holes in midwife numbers, in funding, and in leadership. All this is crucial for safe care. Women on the island do not have the choices of care they should, and midwives are not being supported enough to do their jobs as well as they want to. Midwives are working incredibly hard to ensure women, babies, and their families get the safest and best possible care. However, there are not enough of them. I know we are pushing at an open door with the Manx Government on this, but this does need their attention now."

You can read the full details here.

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In response, Manx Care has confirmed the RCM is visiting the Island this week to work with them and the Department of Health and Social Care to 'drive standards forward.' 

The health body says it's exploring all options to increase midwife recruitment and pre-registration training.