Maternity services sign up to Caring For You charter

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has become the latest trust with maternity services in London to sign up to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Caring For You charter.

The charter aims to improve services for women and babies by improving the wellbeing of staff.

Launched in June 2016, the RCM Caring for You campaign is encouraging all trusts across the UK to sign up to its campaign charter.

This means trusts commit to working with the RCM’s health and safety representatives to improve the health, safety and wellbeing at work of midwives, student midwives and maternity support workers. They in turn will be able to provide even better care for women, babies and their families.

Francine Allen,  the RCM’s Regional Officer for London, said: “A commitment to improving maternity staff’s health, safety and wellbeing at work is also a commitment to women and their babies and it’s fantastic that the maternity services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ have signed the charter.

“The Charter includes commitments to make sure that members of staff are taking adequate rest breaks as well as staying properly hydrated during their shifts. There is also a strong focus on fostering a positive working environment.”

Lynne Pacanowski, Director of Midwifery at Guy’s and St Thomas’, added: “We know that the best care is provided by staff who are well cared for themselves. We are therefore delighted to be a part of the RCM’s Caring for You campaign, the principles and ambitions of which perfectly reflect those of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Showing we care ethos and our new ‘HALT – take a break’ initiative.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ launched HALT in March this year to encourage staff to take frequent breaks and improve their health and wellbeing.

The HALT (Hungry, Angry, Late, Tired) campaign makes staff aware that taking enough breaks can also help them to provide the highest standard of patient care.

Dame Eileen Sills, Chief Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Taking a break gives our staff the chance to take a breather and to replenish energy levels by eating or having a drink, physically resting or taking a mental break.

“As well as being important for staff health and wellbeing, taking breaks is also important for patients as it allows staff to make the best possible decisions for our patients.”