Midwives welcome Scottish Government’s investment to implement Best Start
on 15 February 2019 Scotland NHS Scotland RCM Scotland Scottish Government Neonatal Care
The Scottish Government has announced it’s investing £12 million in maternity and neonatal services to implement Best Start.
The Royal College of Midwives(RCM) has welcomed the announcement.
Responding, RCM’s Director for Scotland, Dr. Mary Ross Davie said; “Since the publication of the Best Start Review two years ago the RCM has lobbied hard for this investment to be ring fenced so I am delighted that we have achieved this.
“The Best Start Review recommends a huge shift in how and where maternity and neonatal services are delivered and the RCM has argued that in order for the changes to be safe, successful and sustainable midwives will need time, training and support to feel confident to work in different ways.
“Also, health boards will need, at least temporarily, to increase the number of midwives in the system. We will also need to keep a close eye on what the staffing requirements are in a new continuity based system in the longer term – we know that hospitals will continue to need to have experienced core staffing to be available at all times, in addition to the community based continuity team midwives.
“The money invested by the Scottish Government must also be used to ensure that midwives have access not only training, but to the best clinical and IT equipment as well as sufficient transport to enable them to provide safe, high quality care to women across all the communities in Scotland.”
For further information please contact the RCM Media Relations Team on 020 7312 3456 or email [email protected]
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The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.