RCM marks IDM with royalty

HRH The Princess Royal joined midwives and delegates at the British Library to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife on 5 May.

The RCM’s ‘Celebrating midwives: celebrating achievements’ conference presented successes, study findings and debated hot topics.

Delegates from across the UK were chosen to meet Princess Anne – who spent considerable time talking to midwives and showing her continuing interest and knowledge in  the midwife’s role with its diversity and struggles.

She told attendees that the day will raise global awareness of the work that midwives do. ‘That’s the most important thing,’ she said, adding: ‘Mothers continue to stand with midwives for the care and service that midwives provide.’ She also said that she had been honoured to succeed the Queen Mother in taking on the patronage of the RCM.

The RCM used the event to launch The socio-economic value of the midwife, which underlined how investing in midwives and midwife-led care was key to delivering high-quality maternity care.

RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick said the results of the study highlighted the fact that giving a ‘high-quality, sensitive and appropriate model of care to women and their families at a crucial time in their lives can be achieved, without compromising safety.’