NMC and GMC publish new resources to support maternity care

Multidisciplinary maternity teams include a wide variety of professionals all working together during pregnancy and childbirth. These professionals bring different skills, knowledge and experience but they have one thing in common – they’re all working as one team to deliver the best possible care for women, babies and families.

The NMC’s ‘Good teamwork means better maternity care’ campaign brings together case studies that reflect what good teamwork looks like, from the perspectives of different professionals such as midwives, neonatal nurses and doctors, as well as women and families.

The case studies emphasise how people working in multidisciplinary teams – each bringing distinct skills, knowledge and experience – can work as one team to provide safe, person-centred care. They set out examples of effective teamworking, shared learning, open and respectful communication, and tackling health inequalities in everyday practice.

We encourage midwives, neonatal nurses, students and employers to learn from the views and experiences reflected in our case studies – and to consider how they relate to our Code and standards which guide professionals to deliver safe and effective care.

As midwives, neonatal nurses and doctors work so closely together, we’ve collaborated with the GMC who have produced accompanying resources. For professionals on the GMC register, the GMC have produced a new page of their ethical hub focused on maternity.

Donna O’Boyle, Acting Executive Director of Professional Practice at the NMC, said:

“Every woman, baby and family has the right to safe, effective and compassionate care. But we know that this is not always the reality – and with our partners, we must play our part to tackle the scourge of health inequalities.

“Women, babies and families benefit from the best care when teams work effectively together – and our Code and standards set out clear expectations to help guide professionals on the NMC register.

“We hope midwives, nurses, students and employers find our case studies useful to reflect on their own practice, and support them to work more effectively with other professionals.”

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