The government finally admitted the maternity system is broken and agreed to the full review we demanded. Thousands of you refused to let them ignore the suffering of midwives and mothers until they had no choice but to act. We won this round but I am watching to ensure they …
September 11, 2011
The UK Maternity System needs reviewing urgently to ensure the safety of Mothers and Babies.
Final supporters
So why is it that more and more Midwives in the UK are feeling this way?
In the UK the role of the Midwife is being stretched to such an alarming length that many feel something soon will snap and none of them want it to be on their shift! Valuable, experienced and amazingly talented midwives are leaving the profession because they feel they are treading a very fine line between life and death.
This isn't an over dramatisation of facts this is how the system is currently..... and yes we mean currently in 2010 not 1810!!
Midwives expected to care for more labouring mothers than is recommended, Midwives working past their salaried shifts, Babies and Mothers left unchecked because there simply isn't anyone to check them, basic human needs such as refreshment and comfort breaks are being scrapped because quite simply.... if the Midwife leaves to have her break there would be no one to care for the Mothers & Babies!
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) estimates that an extra 5,000 midwives are needed in England alone simply to offer a basic standard of care.
“If it is a system failure then if anything goes wrong the Midwife will be covered”
Not according to The Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] code which says: As a professional, you are personally accountable for actions and omissions in your practice and must always be able to justify your decisions.
Anyone that has tried to blame the system will know... it isn't easy.
“So tell someone up top!”
Indeed... it also states in the NMC: You must inform someone in authority if you experience problems that prevent you working within this code or other nationally agreed standards. You must report your concerns in writing if problems in the environment of care are putting people at risk
This has been done by countless Midwives and it is apparent that no action is being taken to improve things.
“Why don't they go on strike?”
Well that would be a start, that would be one way of bringing the public awareness to a slippery slope situation. But here's the spanner in that work.... Midwives are not permitted to strike or rather they are but are bound by their duty of care codes.. see NMC code reference above!
“OK so how can we help?”
Sign this petition to show that you would like to see a major overhaul of the Maternity Care System especially the working conditions, patient safety and rights of the Midwife.
Also in the comments please let us know if you would be willing to take part in a peaceful protest in London next year.
The UK Maternity System needs reviewing urgently to ensure the safety of Mothers and Babies.
Updates
July 26, 2011
The government is ignoring the crisis while midwives are left to pick up the pieces of a failing system. We need to hit 2,500 signatures right now to force these bureaucrats to acknowledge the danger they are putting mothers and babies in. Get this link to everyone you know immediately.
December 27, 2010
The momentum we have built proves that the public is finally seeing the dangerous reality of our crumbling maternity system. The government cannot ignore this outcry much longer because mothers and their babies are suffering while midwives are pushed to the brink.
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 5, 2010
November 3, 2010
The government is ignoring these crumbling wards while midwives hit their breaking point. We need to slam this number onto their desks before they can pretend the danger is invisible. Keep pounding the pavement until we break through that thousand mark.
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2010
7 Comments
We need to look after the people who bring our kids into the world. It is not fair expecting them to work like this.
My sister is a midwife and come home crying every single day. She loves her job but the pressure is just too much now. Something has to change before she quits for good.
SO TRUE. Was left alone for hours with no one to help me. I felt so scared. The midwives were lovely but they were clearly run off their feet. Needs sorting NOW.
Ridiculous to think they can just keep cutting corners with lives at stake. Pay them properly and hire more staff. Common sense really.
Used to love the job but the stress is killing me. Can't do it anymore.
All for this. They need more and deserve more money too
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The government finally admitted the maternity system is broken and agreed to the full review we demanded. Thousands of you refused to let them ignore the suffering of midwives and mothers until they had no choice but to act. We won this round but I am watching to ensure they …
September 11, 2011
The UK Maternity System needs reviewing urgently to ensure the safety of Mothers and Babies.
Final supporters
So why is it that more and more Midwives in the UK are feeling this way?
In the UK the role of the Midwife is being stretched to such an alarming length that many feel something soon will snap and none of them want it to be on their shift! Valuable, experienced and amazingly talented midwives are leaving the profession because they feel they are treading a very fine line between life and death.
This isn't an over dramatisation of facts this is how the system is currently..... and yes we mean currently in 2010 not 1810!!
Midwives expected to care for more labouring mothers than is recommended, Midwives working past their salaried shifts, Babies and Mothers left unchecked because there simply isn't anyone to check them, basic human needs such as refreshment and comfort breaks are being scrapped because quite simply.... if the Midwife leaves to have her break there would be no one to care for the Mothers & Babies!
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) estimates that an extra 5,000 midwives are needed in England alone simply to offer a basic standard of care.
“If it is a system failure then if anything goes wrong the Midwife will be covered”
Not according to The Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] code which says: As a professional, you are personally accountable for actions and omissions in your practice and must always be able to justify your decisions.
Anyone that has tried to blame the system will know... it isn't easy.
“So tell someone up top!”
Indeed... it also states in the NMC: You must inform someone in authority if you experience problems that prevent you working within this code or other nationally agreed standards. You must report your concerns in writing if problems in the environment of care are putting people at risk
This has been done by countless Midwives and it is apparent that no action is being taken to improve things.
“Why don't they go on strike?”
Well that would be a start, that would be one way of bringing the public awareness to a slippery slope situation. But here's the spanner in that work.... Midwives are not permitted to strike or rather they are but are bound by their duty of care codes.. see NMC code reference above!
“OK so how can we help?”
Sign this petition to show that you would like to see a major overhaul of the Maternity Care System especially the working conditions, patient safety and rights of the Midwife.
Also in the comments please let us know if you would be willing to take part in a peaceful protest in London next year.
The UK Maternity System needs reviewing urgently to ensure the safety of Mothers and Babies.
Updates
July 26, 2011
The government is ignoring the crisis while midwives are left to pick up the pieces of a failing system. We need to hit 2,500 signatures right now to force these bureaucrats to acknowledge the danger they are putting mothers and babies in. Get this link to everyone you know immediately.
December 27, 2010
The momentum we have built proves that the public is finally seeing the dangerous reality of our crumbling maternity system. The government cannot ignore this outcry much longer because mothers and their babies are suffering while midwives are pushed to the brink.
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 5, 2010
November 3, 2010
The government is ignoring these crumbling wards while midwives hit their breaking point. We need to slam this number onto their desks before they can pretend the danger is invisible. Keep pounding the pavement until we break through that thousand mark.
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2010
7 Comments
I trained I 1984 .As a nurse then midwife .I agree with the statements .I have worked with lovely colleagues .but in situations where some are unbearable .You have to watch your back all the time .where has the team work gone !!
We need to look after the people who bring our kids into the world. It is not fair expecting them to work like this.
My sister is a midwife and come home crying every single day. She loves her job but the pressure is just too much now. Something has to change before she quits for good.
SO TRUE. Was left alone for hours with no one to help me. I felt so scared. The midwives were lovely but they were clearly run off their feet. Needs sorting NOW.
Ridiculous to think they can just keep cutting corners with lives at stake. Pay them properly and hire more staff. Common sense really.
Used to love the job but the stress is killing me. Can't do it anymore.
All for this. They need more and deserve more money too
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I trained I 1984 .As a nurse then midwife .I agree with the statements .I have worked with lovely colleagues .but in situations where some are unbearable .You have to watch your back all the time .where has the team work gone !!