THE Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said “immediate and decisive action” was needed to save its workforce as it called for a real-terms pay rise for 2024/25.

In its evidence to the NHS pay review body, it warned midwives have “borne the brunt” of years of pay stagnation and underinvestment in the NHS, with the profession often lacking the work-life balance and flexibility highly valued by young workers.

Today RCM general secretary Gill Walton warned it has “never been more crucial that staff see real-terms pay rises.”

She said low pay was often cited as the main reason for staff leaving, with food boxes now being left in staff rooms to help those struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.

Many maternity services are running on the goodwill of staff, she added, saying that “urgent action on staff retention is crucial and while pay is not the whole solution, it is absolutely a key factor to staff wanting to stay working in the NHS.”