Thursday the 5th of May is International Day of the Midwife, and will be followed by International Day of the Nurse on Thursday the 12th of May. Medway Labour sends good wishes and gratitude to Midwives and Nurses in our local MHS services where this important workforce serves our community in many different places from Medway Maritime hospital to local clinics, social care settings and patients’ own homes.

We encourage all patients to share their positive experiences and show their support for the Midwives and Nurses who help families across the Medway Towns by emailing communications.medwayft@nhs.net. 

Cllr Teresa Murray, Health Spokesperson and Deputy Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group said:

 “Our Medway maternity service is one of the busiest and safest in the country but together with other nursing services is struggling with staff shortages and inadequate pay.

“Nurses and Midwives are facing the cost of living crisis with the rest of the community and we know that some are forced to visit food banks to survive. Clapping on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street is hypocritical when training bursaries have been cut and Brexit has made it much more difficult for the NHS to recruit from our near neighbours.

“Labour would restore training bursaries and fund the NHS properly so that highly skilled and valued staff like Midwives and Nurses feel they can stay in the job and will be supported.”