Julie Lamberth, RCN Scotland Board Chair, said: “I wanted to highlight statistics which have been published today from NHS Education for Scotland, which show a worrying rise in NHS Nursing and Midwifery vacancies.
“Across Scotland a record high of 4,854 nursing and midwifery posts are vacant, which is 7.1% of posts, while in NHS Lothian, 750 nursing and midwifery posts are vacant, which is 6.9% of posts.
“Staffing levels are reaching crisis point across Scotland. As well as these vacancies, a significant number of nursing staff are on work related sick leave through stress and other mental health issues. Unless this is addressed, proposals to remobilise services and increase elective capacity are simply unachievable and the NHS Recovery Plan’s proposals to recruit 1,500 additional staff woefully inadequate.
“RCN Scotland members are clear about what needs to be done. Out of the 39% of members who have told us they are thinking of leaving the nursing profession, 73% of respondents said “improved pay” and 49% said “better staffing levels” would make them feel more valued.
“Implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019, fair pay for nursing staff in all settings and robust workforce planning are needed urgently to ensure Scotland has the nursing staff it needs to remobilise services as we continue to deal with Covid-19.”
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said: “The number of Nursing and Midwifery posts that we have vacant across NHS Lothian is extremely concerning.
“NHS Lothian staff work incredibly hard to care for everyone who comes through their door, but the current position is unsustainable. These vacancies need to be filled for health boards to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“SNP Ministers have failed to workforce plan pre-pandemic and we are seeing the consequences now, with many nurses considering leaving the profession.”
Celebrating the outstanding efforts of midwives and midwifery students across the UK:
Responding to the International Day of the Midwife, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “Today is an important opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the incredible efforts of UK midwives and midwifery students who, despite facing uncertainty and adapting to new ways of working, have continued to provide safe, kind and effective care and support for women and their families throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“Babies didn’t stop for Covid-19 and midwives and midwifery students have made such an important contribution to the way the UK has responded. I’m glad we have this opportunity to celebrate their skill and professionalism and thank them for their positive impact on the women, new born infants and families they care for and support.”
Midwives have shown resilience and steadfast support for pregnant women and their babies this past year throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s maternity services.
NHSGGC is celebrating the International Day of the Midwife, which always is a day of reflection of the valuable role that midwives play across the world, and especially important in the face of the pandemic.
And the Labour Ward staff team at the Princess Royal Maternity have shown the incredible contribution midwives make to the wider community too. 65 staff took part and raised £8,400 for Quarriers last month by walking an incredible 9850.88 miles – equivalent to walking to Australia from Glasgow!
The 6500-mile adventure was the brainchild of Charge Midwife Jen Johansson, who wanted to do something to help people who might be struggling in these difficult times.
Jen Johansson, Charge Midwife, Labour Ward, Princess Royal Maternity, commented: “Our role as midwives is to empower and support women during their pregnancy and birth to enable them to have a positive experience.
“It’s a very special and precious time for women. When we are with ladies in labour, that can be our full 12 hour shift – we have to ensure a safe outcome for mum and baby.
“I always wanted to be a midwife from the age of 14 and have now done it for 15 years. We get to spend a lot of time with women and their families getting to know them. Especially in the labour ward, we have a special rapport with women. We are ensuring the safe arrival of precious life, it’s amazing.”
The restrictions to hospital visiting across Scotland meant that midwives were often the only support for women other than their partners while in hospital.
Evelyn Frame, Chief Midwife, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,said: “the theme for this year’s International Day of the Midwife is ‘Follow the data: Invest in Midwives’ and we look forward to coming together as a global community to advocate for investment in quality midwifery care around the world”.
This year’s theme is timely as it will coincide with the launch of the 2021 State of the World’s Midwifery Report that provides an updated evidence base and detailed analysis on the impact of midwives on maternal and newborn health outcomes and the return on investment in midwives.
As Chief Midwife Evelyn is extremely proud to be part of such a wonderful midwifery family across NHS GGC and would like to pass on her personal thanks to each and every member of the team who have gone above and beyond over the past year, putting women and their families at the heart of the care they provide.
Dr Margaret McGuire, Director of Nursing, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Midwives always provide skilled, high quality care and understand what matters to the woman and her family.
“They put women first and this past year they have gone above and beyond to provide woman centred and safe care. At the core of everything they do is making the pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience as positive as possible for the woman and those who matter to her.
“My sincere thanks and praise goes out to every midwife in Greater Glasgow and Clyde on this the International Day of the Midwife.”
University launches campaign on International Nurses Day
Florence Nightingale, known as The Lady with the Lamp, is the inspiration behind a new campaign to be launched on International Nurses Day.
Staff at Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health & Social Care have created Nightingale’s Flame as an act of solidarity among nurses and midwives just as thousands of students across the UK answer the call to take up NHS placements during the current public health crisis.
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) is revered in nursing as an inspirational leader, influential campaigner and a pioneer in the use of data to inform decision-making.
Her May 12th birthday is celebrated every year as International Nurses Day, and it takes on extra significance this year on the 200th anniversary. To mark this anniversary, the International Council of Nurses and World Health Organisation have declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
The new campaign will be be launched tomorrow on 12 May, which is International Nurses Day. The campaign, which will run to the end of 2020, encourages all past, present and student nurses and midwives to add their fingerprint to Nightingale’s Flame.
With the project now adapted to work remotely, participants are asked to email a photo or scan of their fingerprint to NightingalesLantern@napier.ac.uk
As illustrated inthis video (link live from Monday 11th), eachfingerprint will be added to the flame graphic, and at the end of the year the final image will be printed as a physical tribute, to be unveiled in December and displayed at the University. Fingerprints can be sent in any colour, and participants can also opt to send their name or initials, home location and/or place of work to be added to a register.
Andrew Waddington, an Associate Lecturer in the School, said: “As we work through the Covid-19 pandemic, we are reminded of the role nurses and midwives have in keeping our healthcare system going.
“Nightingale’s Flame is being launched as an act of solidarity, a reminder that we each contribute a unique role while also reminding us that we sit together as part of a larger community.”
To mark Year of the Nurse and Midwife, Edinburgh Napier has also launched a search for stories from nurses and midwives with links to the University which illustrate leadership and impact in the field.
Students, staff and alumni are encouraged to submit a story to be published on the Nightingale’s Lantern blog.
NHS Lothian has launched its Nightingale Challenge to inspire nurses and midwives across the board to become future leaders.
The challenge, which is taking place around the world, forms part of the celebrations for the Year of the Nurse and Midwife and marks 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale.
The Nightingale Challenge encourages health employers to provide leadership and development training for their young nurses and midwifes during 2020. To date, more than 570 employers in 66 countries have signed up, involving around 25,000 nurses and midwives worldwide.
Across NHS Lothian, the focus for the challenge is ‘Inspiring the Next Generation.’ Through a programme of work NHS Lothian wants to promote the diversity of nursing and midwifery roles, and to highlight the various pathways to joining the professions. Already around 50 students and registered nurses and midwives across Lothian have signed up to take part.
The launch event on 24 January provided an opportunity for attendees to share their journeys into nursing and midwifery and to get involved in developing ideas to support the programme of events taking place throughout 2020 to mark the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
Professor Alex McMahon, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Professionals, NHS Lothian said: “I am delighted that NHS Lothian is joining the celebrations to mark the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and that as part of this, will be getting involved in the Nightingale Challenge.
“The skills and experiences that I gained from my nursing days really have supported and enabled me to move into a range of leadership roles.
“I hope that through the Nightingale Challenge, we can inspire and encourage our young nurses and midwives to see themselves as future leaders, who will help to shape and support our NHS for years to come.”
NHS Lothian’s promotional activities in support of the Nightingale Challenge and the Year of the Nurse and Midwife can be followed by searching the hashtags #LothianYNM2020, #NightingaleChallenge, #ScotNurses2020 and #ScotMidwives2020 on social media.
NHS Lothian is encouraging women to make an appointment with a midwife as soon as they find out they’re pregnant. The message is part of a national drive to encourage the best start for pregnant women and their babies.
Pregnant women across Lothian are urged to book into their local maternity service before they reach twelve weeks of pregnancy in order to benefit from the full range of screening options and ensure their individual health needs are met.
New posters currently on display in GP surgeries, pharmacies and sexual health clinics in Lothian, encourage women to call a dedicated booking line on 0131 536 2009 to arrange an appointment with a midwife. Supporting leaflets also provide information on what to do next after finding out you’re pregnant.
“We want to encourage women across Lothian to make an appointment with a midwife as soon as they find out they are pregnant in order to promote the health and wellbeing of mum and baby at the earliest possible stage.
“The foetus is most vulnerable during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, therefore an early meeting with one of our expert midwives ensures advice and support can be provided on lifestyle choices such as eating well, exercise, dental care, smoking and drinking.”
