This week in Maternity - RCOG Workforce report & experience of young mothers

RCOG 2018 Workforce report

The RCOG has published its latest workforce report providing an update on recommendations and actions to address workforce issues.

The report highlights that 9 out of 10 obstetric units have a gap in their middle-grade rota, there is a 30% attrition rate from the O&G training programme, 54% of those on O&G specialist register are international medical graduates and there are disproportionate litigation rates for those working in O&G. The report also highlights high rates of bullying and undermining.

Included in the report is an update on recommendations from the 2017 report including:

• Increased support for SAS and trust doctors with representaition on RCOG comittees
• Working group on how to retain consultants considering early retirement
• Maternity workforce planning
• Return to work support
• Increased support for new consultants

Also provided is an update on the work of the RCOG supporting our doctors task group which includes work on a peer to peer support service, development of workplace behavior champions network and complaints handling work.

The full report can be viewed here. 

Experience of young mums

​A short film has been produced by a young mum after her experiences during her pregnancy. The film aims to encourage medical professionals to provide more support to young mums. Watch it below

Each baby counts: Learn and support 

The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are working together to launch a new programme to work with local maternity units to support multi-professional learning helping to improve joint working.

The partnership will be supported and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and will support the implementation of recommendations from each baby counts reports to support the provision of safe maternity care.

The full report can be found here.