Motion no: 36
Congress notes that maternity services across Northern Ireland are being pushed by years of understaffing, underinvestment and increasing demand. Midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives are working in conditions that are neither safe nor sustainable.
Congress is alarmed that 45% of midwives reported experiencing burnout often or always. A recent RCM survey showed that 93% of maternity staff said staffing levels directly affect the quality of care they can provide. During the survey week, 77% said their unit was unsafely staffed. At the same time, maternal deaths are now 20% higher than a decade ago.
Congress recognises that safe staffing is not simply a workforce issue; it is a patient safety issue, a women's health issue and a workers' rights issue. Staff cannot continue to carry the burden of systemic failure while employers and the Executive fail to provide the investment needed to deliver safe care.
Congress therefore calls on the ICTU to campaign alongside affiliated unions for the Executive to deliver sustained investment in safe maternity staffing and invest in safe and modern maternity estates, and ensure staff have the time and resources to deliver equitable, high-quality care.
Congress further calls on the ICTU to reaffirm that no healthcare worker should be expected to routinely work beyond safe limits or without breaks, and that protecting the wellbeing of maternity staff is essential to protecting the safety of every woman, baby and family who depends on our maternity services.
