Released on: 24 November 2025
In response to the RCOG Workforce Census 2025, an NCT spokesperson said:
“Many dedicated maternity and neonatal teams are providing care with compassion and professionalism, even under immense pressure. These pressures are highlighted in the RCOG Workforce Census 2025, with two thirds of obstetricians and gynaecologists reporting that they are at risk of burnout. Almost 70% reported that they had to work beyond contracted hours, citing staff shortage as a reason for that.
“The lack of safe staffing levels does not only risk burnout and compassion fatigue among staff but also directly impacts parents. Some NHS Trusts have been suspending vital maternity services due to low staff numbers, affecting the safety of parents and putting their quality of care at further risk.
“That is why we ask the government to invest in maternity staffing and ensure safe staffing levels across obstetric units, midwife-led units, community and homebirth services. Workforce planning must be rooted in the needs of pregnant women and birthing people. This includes ensuring that health care professionals have enough time to:
- Build meaningful relationships, provide clear information, actively listen, answer questions, revisit decisions, and support parents who change their minds.
- Act as effective link workers helping women and parents access wider services such as safeguarding, domestic abuse support, or perinatal mental health care.
ENDS.
