SALFORD PROUDLY MARCHES WITH ITS MIDWIVES - 2021

Salford was well represented at Sunday’s March with Midwives at St Peter’s Square,
Manchester City Centre.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles, opened proceedings with an impassioned
speech urging for change in maternity care in the region’s and UK’s hospitals and birth
centres. 

Also present were Sarah Davies, retired senior lecturer from Salford University and
midwife for 40 years, Midwifery Students from Salford University,  and  many practising
midwives and families from Salford who attended in order to give solidarity to the cause.

Over 300 people from across Greater Manchester attended the event, which involved
speeches from speakers of all ages and backgrounds, singing, reading poetry, and culminating
in attendees marching twice around the square chanting and waving their heartfelt banners
and signs.  I attended as I feel passionately about the cause, and as a mother I recognise the
value that a midwife, who has time to properly support a birthing mother, has for the health
and wellbeing of a family.

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Salford & Eccles MP - Rebecca Long-Bailey

The campaign recognises that 2021 has seen maternity services become critically unsafe for
staff and users. For every 30 newly qualified midwives, 29 are leaving. A recent RCM survey
of midwives found 60% of staff are thinking of leaving the profession. The campaign aims to
give midwives support and empowerment and raise awareness  of the issues so that change
can happen with the support of the whole community.

The event was one of 72 across the UK that took place on Sunday afternoon. Manchester’s
event was one of the biggest in the country, alongside the marches in Parliament Square in
London and Birmingham. The UK-wide petition reached 100,000 signatures by Sunday
evening and the event was hailed a great success.

Anyone wishing to  support the petition and to join in future events, should visit the
‘March with Midwives UK’ and the ‘March with Midwives UK Manchester’ Facebook
Pages