Save Independent Midwives …. Campaign March in Brighton.

Tuesday 22^nd May, West Pier, Brighton.  The sun shone and many midwives, mothers, babies and even grandparents turned up to support the Independent Midwives who marched to the RCM conference at the Metropole Hotel, Brighton.  Everyone wore campaign t-shirts and gave out leaflets as they marched along the sea front chanting "Independent midwives, delivering choice" to horn sounds and applause from passers by.

Annie Francis and Brenda van der Kooy headed up the procession with a banner and marchers were accompanied by drums and whistles.  The aim of the demonstration was to raise the awareness of the public, conference delegates and the College itself that unless a solution can be found to the professional indemnity issue, independent midwifery will no longer be a choice for women or midwives in the UK.  The march ended up outside the Metropole Hotel where Karlene Davis, General Secretary was called to come and speak with members of the Independent Midwives Association (IMA).  

Eventually Jon Skewes, Director of Employment Relations and Development from the RCM came out to meet with them.  Jon said that the RCM were supportive of our plight but he faced some hard questioning about the nature of that support.  He gave a firm commitment that the RCM would meet with the IMA and allow adequate time to fully discuss all that has happened since the last meeting in 2001 and to plan the way forward together.  The IMA were clear that it really wanted the union’s support to work with them, and the Government, to find a way forward. In recognition of Jon’s courage he was presented with a campaign tee shirt!

Independent Midwife