Royal College of Midwives call for urgent action following BBC documentary on Scotland’s maternity services

A BBC Disclosure programme broadcast on 28 October 2025 revealed that staff shortages, rising workloads and a lack of specialist and educator roles in maternity services are placing unsustainable pressure on staff and risking the long-term quality of care.

Jaki Lambert, RCM Scotland Director, comments: “Women, their families and maternity staff are being let down by unacceptable systemic challenges, which must be addressed urgently by the Scottish Government.

“We need the right staff, in the right place, at the right time, with the funding and support to access the right education and training throughout their career. Workforce shortages with very few consultant, educator and specialist roles and a lack of investment continue to place huge pressure on staff.”

The RCM said the BBC documentary echoes concerns the organisation has been raising repeatedly for years about the sustainability of maternity care in Scotland. In 2022, an RCM survey of members across Scotland exposed the scale of challenges that midwives and maternity care assistants were facing every day: too few staff, a poor skill mix, inadequate equipment, substandard environments and no time for professional learning and development opportunities.

In 2023, the RCM published a five-year plan for the midwifery profession in Scotland. This set out the key steps to improve maternity care. The key themes throughout were safety, cultures, career structure and leadership.

That same year, the RCM’s State of Maternity Services Report detailed how rising intervention rates, increasing complexity, and growing policy and regulatory demands required a larger, more skilled workforce.

Jaki adds: “The RCM has consistently raised the issues that the BBC Disclosure programme reveals with Government. Despite repeated warnings workforce shortages, limited investment, and increasing demands continue to push services to breaking point.

“Many of the solutions are there in the recommendations of the Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce and we are calling on the Government to act now to deliver lasting change for families and midwives by implementing these recommendations.”