The RCM has recently undergone an internal reorganisation to enable us to increase our responsiveness, influence and support for members.  The new structure is designed to facilitate cross directorate working and to enable us to benefit from the added value that comes from being a trade union and a professional organisation.   Staff are now organised into four Directorates:

• Business Services headed by Chris Truman covering most of the internal functions of the organisation including membership and finance

• Policy, Employment Relations and Communications headed by Jon Skewes to include the whole of the RCM’s policy functions (health and social policy, midwifery and employment relations)

• Services to members to include the RCM’s education and training functions as well as all of our organising and engagement activities.  Dr Suzanne Tyler has been appointed to this post

• Midwifery, headed up by Louise Silverton to include both UK and England specific professional midwifery matters, standards and guidelines, research, campaign for Normal Birth and the RCM global activities. 

Day to day support for RCM members will still be given as usual by staff in the four countries of the UK although those in England will form part of the Services to Members Directorate.

The Royal College of Midwives is the voice of midwifery. We are the UK’s only trade union, professional organisation led by midwives for midwives and those that support them. The vast majority of the midwifery profession are our members.

What we do

• Promoting midwifery, quality maternity services and professional standards
• Supporting our members, individually and collectively
• Influencing on behalf of members and the women and families they care for

The RCM represents the interests of midwives in all four UK countries individually and collectively.  We promote excellence, innovation and leadership in the care of childbearing women, the newborn and their families, nationally and internationally. 

Our mission is to enhance the confidence, professional practice and influence of midwives for the benefit of child-bearing women and their families. 

Our values are to operate with integrity, to act in open and transparent ways, to be accessible to members and to support equity in service. 

Working  for midwives

The vast majority of UK midwives belong to the RCM because of the combined professional, trade union and educational benefits that only the RCM offers.

These include:

Learning, Research and Practice Development

• A range of training and professional development courses, to promote clinical excellence and develop the midwifery leaders of tomorrow.  

• Active promotion of research, evidence-based practice and the development of midwifery as a learning profession.  

• Access to online member facilities including the free online learning platform ilearn and discussion forum RCM Communities plus midwifery search facilities to aid research.

Professional affairs

• An extensive range of publications and policy papers that provide guidance and comment on the challenges that face midwives and mothers.

• RCM Midwives Magazine and RCM Evidence-Based Midwifery Journal devoted exclusively to midwifery.

• A strong voice for midwifery in national policy fora.

Employment relations

• National and Regional Officers throughout the UK, who are practising midwives with employment relations and professional expertise. They provide representation and support to members.

• Over 880 workplace-based stewards, health and safety representatives and union learning representatives (ULRs) who are NHS working midwives and MSWs. Midwife members are entitled to medical malpractice insurance, giving up to £3 million cover against legal liability.

• Standing up for midwifery services at a local and national level through protest marches and campaigns.

Media Relations

• Making your voice heard in the national and local media arena, the RCM work tirelessly to keep the issues prevalent to the Midwifery profession in the headlines.  

Working for Women

• The RCM is committed to developing a maternity service that truly meets women's and babies' needs throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. A maternity service based on woman-centred care is a vital contribution to public health and an essential investment in the well-being of tomorrow’s citizens.

• The RCM campaigns for better support for women who are pregnant in prison, or suffering domestic violence or female genital mutilation both in the UK and Internationally. We promote breastfeeding, the improvement of neonatal care and helping new parents feel confident and supported, so that women can enjoy not just a healthy pregnancy, but increased quality of family life and well-being.