The role of the Royal College of Midwives

This page provides further information on the Royal College of Midwives

The RCM is the only trade union and professional organisation run by midwives for midwives. It is the voice of midwifery, providing excellence in professional leadership, education, influence and representation for and on behalf of midwives. Our 35,000+ members include the vast majority of all the UK's practising midwives.

Midwives join because we offer a vast range of benefits to them:

• a strong voice for midwifery heard at the highest levels of government

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

• an extensive range of publications, policy papers and a monthly magazine that together provide guidance and comment on the challenges that face midwives and mothers; and the largest midwifery library in the world

• regional officers across the UK with employment relations and professional expertise who provide representation and support to members; hundreds of workplace-based stewards and health and safety representatives

The College also campaigns for better support for women who are pregnant in prison, or suffering domestic violence or female genital mutilation. 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 wellbeing.