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25/02/2008
More Midwives For NHS
The government has announced plans to recruit an extra 4,000 midwives across England over the next three years.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson also outlined plans for former midwives to be given a 'golden hello', worth up to £3,000, to help them return to work, following a break in service.
The Department of Health and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will launch a Return to Practice campaign in the summer, with incentives including free training, support with childcare and travel costs plus a grant of up to £1,500.
Launching the measures, Mr Johnson said: "The number of births in England is rising. To keep pace with this increase and to improve the quality of care to mothers, we will recruit an additional 1,000 midwives on our wards and in our communities by 2009, rising to around 4,000 by 2012.
"Many of these extra midwives will be new to the profession, but there are also former midwives whose expertise could be brought back to the NHS given the right support. This is why we will make up to £3,000 worth of support available to each returning midwife, providing free training and financial support while they study.
"In January, I announced extra funding of £330 million over three years for maternity services. Trusts will have access to this additional money from April to invest in expanding the workforce."
The government's announcement follows last month's report by the Healthcare Commission, which raised concerns about the variation in maternity care and staffing levels.
Dame Karlene Davis, General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "I welcome Alan Johnson's announcement which represents a recognition of the need to increase midwifery numbers. The RCM will wish to see a sustained programme of support for midwives from the government. We will continue to work with the government and the NHS to achieve this.
"This is a significant step on the road to delivering on Maternity Matters, the government's blue-print for maternity services, and providing a quality service for women, their babies and families."
Alastair Henderson, Deputy Director of NHS Employers, said: "Employers recognise the need to strengthen maternity services and recruiting additional midwives is a crucial part of this. We are looking forward to working with the Royal College of Midwives and the Department of Health to deliver an effective and focused NHS Careers return to practice campaign that delivers midwives to the areas where they are most needed."
(KMcA)
Health Secretary Alan Johnson also outlined plans for former midwives to be given a 'golden hello', worth up to £3,000, to help them return to work, following a break in service.
The Department of Health and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will launch a Return to Practice campaign in the summer, with incentives including free training, support with childcare and travel costs plus a grant of up to £1,500.
Launching the measures, Mr Johnson said: "The number of births in England is rising. To keep pace with this increase and to improve the quality of care to mothers, we will recruit an additional 1,000 midwives on our wards and in our communities by 2009, rising to around 4,000 by 2012.
"Many of these extra midwives will be new to the profession, but there are also former midwives whose expertise could be brought back to the NHS given the right support. This is why we will make up to £3,000 worth of support available to each returning midwife, providing free training and financial support while they study.
"In January, I announced extra funding of £330 million over three years for maternity services. Trusts will have access to this additional money from April to invest in expanding the workforce."
The government's announcement follows last month's report by the Healthcare Commission, which raised concerns about the variation in maternity care and staffing levels.
Dame Karlene Davis, General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "I welcome Alan Johnson's announcement which represents a recognition of the need to increase midwifery numbers. The RCM will wish to see a sustained programme of support for midwives from the government. We will continue to work with the government and the NHS to achieve this.
"This is a significant step on the road to delivering on Maternity Matters, the government's blue-print for maternity services, and providing a quality service for women, their babies and families."
Alastair Henderson, Deputy Director of NHS Employers, said: "Employers recognise the need to strengthen maternity services and recruiting additional midwives is a crucial part of this. We are looking forward to working with the Royal College of Midwives and the Department of Health to deliver an effective and focused NHS Careers return to practice campaign that delivers midwives to the areas where they are most needed."
(KMcA)
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