Maternity services at The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust have signed the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Caring for You charter.
The charter is part of the RCMs latest health and wellbeing campaign aiming to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of midwives and maternity staff at work.
The charter includes commitments to make sure members of staff at the Chester hospital are taking adequate rest breaks, as well as staying properly hydrated during their shifts.
Zero tolerance to bullying
There is also a strong focus on fostering a positive working environment, including a zero tolerance approach to undermining and bullying behaviours among staff.
Commenting on the trust’s commitment to the charter, RCM’s regional officer for North West and Midlands Liz Stubbs said: “A commitment to improving maternity staff’s health, safety and wellbeing at work is also a commitment to women and their babies and it’s fantastic that the maternity services at The Countess of Chester have signed the charter.
“We know that well cared for maternity staff can provide the highest quality of care to women and their families.”
Julie Fogarty head of midwifery at The Countess of Chester Head NHS Foundation Trust said: “Caring for You compliments our midwifery philosophy at the Countess so we have the seven ‘C’s’ and this year we’re looking at being kind to one another.
“As head of midwifery I feel this Caring for You Charter will compliment the work we’ve already started earlier in the year.”
Debbie Stowell-Smith is a RCM workplace representative at the Countess of Chester trust and said: “We’re really keen to look after midwives and make sure their health and wellbeing is looked after while they work. If it they can deliver the highest level of care for women and their babies in Chester.”
