Newly qualified midwives in the UK are struggling to find employment despite existing staff shortages in maternity care, leading many to seek work in unrelated fields such as retail and hospitality.
Newly qualified midwives in the UK are facing significant challenges in finding employment within their chosen field, despite ongoing chronic shortages of staff in maternity services. According to a recent survey conducted by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), nearly one-third of midwifery graduates have been unable to secure a job, forcing them to seek alternative employment in sectors like hospitality, retail, and office work. This situation raises serious concerns about the future of maternity care and the ongoing staffing crises within the healthcare system.
The findings come at a critical time when maternity services in the UK are already under immense pressure due to prolonged staff shortages. Midwifery leaders have described the circumstances as
