No money for the midwives · Issue 869, by Hazel Plush

Welsh midwifery graduates struggle to find work while crippling under accumulating student debt

Final year midwifery students in Wales are struggling to find jobs, a recent survey has revealed.

The study, by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), showed that less than 10% of those hoping to graduate this year had secured a midwifery post.

Out of 170 respondents, only eight percent of final year students said they had a job offer, while 58% of those without work said they were not confident of finding a post.

Head of the RCM in Wales Helen Rogers said: “Midwifery in Wales has been an all-graduate profession for some time now.

“However, the RCM is aware that student midwives are under considerable financial pressure.”

The UK-wide report revealed that one in 10 student midwives had accumulated debts of between £7,000 and £9,000 while in training.

Newly qualified NHS midwives currently start on £19,683, which can rise to £31,779 after nine years of practice.

The RCM is now campaigning for £10,000 bursaries to help student midwives through their degree.

Lynn Jones, a 29-year-old final year student at the University of Glamorgan, expressed concern about getting a job after graduation.

She said: “There are limited jobs out there. There are people from my university who qualified as midwives last year and still do not have jobs.”

Dame Karlene Davis General Secretary of the RCM added: “This survey confirms what we have been saying for some time – that morale amongst student midwives is declining because of their accumulated debts and uncertainty about job prospects.”