Crucial for safety of women and babies say midwives supporting 'Speaking Up' charter

Newborn baby

Commenting on the launch today by NHS Employers of the ‘Speaking Up' charter, Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “It is crucial for the safety of women and babies that midwives can publicly raise legitimate concerns about any aspects of the service they deliver and work in, if all the official channels have been exhausted without the concerns being listened to and acted upon.

“It is also important that midwives are protected from reprisals by their employers if they take this course of action. Going public on concerns should always of course be a last resort and we would expect employers to act immediately when their staff raise issues about the safety and quality of care.

“This document is important because it is being driven by NHS Employers, and we would hope and expect all employers of midwives and maternity support workers to support it and, most importantly, puts its principles into action.”