ARM has been pro-active on many issues which threaten midwifery and good maternity care, campaigning and lobbying in support of an enhanced service within the NHS for childbearing women as well as a strong professional identity for midwives. The Association has earned the respect of Government departments and other bodies on midwifery issues, and is now consulted at all stages of enquiries in the field. One of our members was appointed adviser to the House of Commons Health Committee during the wide ranging enquiry into maternity services in the UK which reported in 1992 (The "Winterton Report"). Many ARM members are elected or appointed to the UK professional regulatory bodies, as well as to the Council of the Royal College of Midwives, which is the largest professional organisation for midwives in the world.
The Vision - Proposals for the Future of the Maternity Services.
In 1986 after two years intensive research we published a document which we
called "The Vision - Proposals for the Future of the Maternity Services". This
report has been used as a basis for many innovatory changes in maternity care
throughout the UK. The philosophy of the document, and of the Association, is
that every pregnant woman should be cared for by a small number of professionals,
giving her the opportunity to get to know and trust her attendants, and raising
the standard of her care by the continuity thus provided. The influence of "The
Vision" can be seen in the report "Changing Childbirth" which was produced in
1993 by the Expert Maternity Group set up by the UK Government, and accepted
as Government policy for maternity care.
MIDIRS
Our Working Party "Midwives Information and Resource Group" (MIRG) became an
independent registered charity in order to obtain funding for the work. It is
well known today as MIDIRS,(Midwives
Information and Resource Service) producing regular digests of world-wide midwifery
based information, and has also set up the world's first midwifery database
for the use of researchers in midwifery related topics,
What is a Midwife?
Our leaflet "What is a Midwife?" explains the role of a midwife and
explodes popular myths. Midwifery managers find the leaflet useful in explaining
the midwife's role to medical colleagues, (especially GPs,) many of whom mistakenly
believe they are responsible for the midwife's practice.
Choices in Childbirth.
In response to the many enquiries we receive from women seeking information
about their choices in childbirth, we produce a leaflet called "Choices
in Childbirth", setting out the options for maternity care available in
UK.
(Single copies of these leaflets will be sent free of charge on request. For bulk orders please contact Sarah Montagu (Admin. Secretary) to discuss your requirements. Email address: sarahmontagu@postmaster.co.uk Telephone 0121 444 2257
Midwifery Supervision.
In 1994 in response to concerns about statutory midwifery supervision, we invited
midwives and consumers to take part in a Conference to examine the pros and
cons. This was held in Liverpool in April 1995. The eleven speakers submitted
essays which were published as "Super-Vision
- the report of the Consensus Conference", which is available from Books
for Midwives Press, Butterworth-Heinemann, Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford,
OX2 8DP (price £9.95 plus £1.00 p+p) Currently out of
print...watch this space for further information.
Vision for Midwifery Education.
In 1997 we set up a working party to examine midwifery education, which invited
contributions from clinical midwives, student midwives, consumers, teachers,
etc. A Round Table Debate was held in Birmingham in April 1998, which set up
three geographically based sub-groups, each examining a particular aspect of
midwifery education. The result of their work at frequent meetings was published
in August 1999 as 'A Vision for Midwifery Education', (price £1.30 incl. p+p
from A.R.M.). To read the text of the booklet click here: "Vision
for Midwifery Education" To purchase the booklet itself, visit
the page 'Items for sale' (address below).
Research into midwifery-related issues is growing, and using these studies we are encouraging the awareness of the choices in maternity care. ARM works towards a future in which these choices will be freely offered to every woman by the health professionals involved in her care. We welcome all who wish to join us in this work. Come and enjoy the support and friendship of like-minded people with a common aim.
IT'S READY! ALL ARM JOURNALS ON ONE CDROM!
To celebrate the first 100 journals we have produced a CDROM which contains
a section we've called "Roots from the Past". This consists
of pdf images of every page of each issue from the first "Newsletter" produced
in June 1978 to "Midwifery Matters" issue no.100 (Spring 2004).
But this isn't all. For students, researchers and others there's another section
which we've called "Routes to the Future". This has a key word
search facility to access specific topics in all the articles, major reports,
news, letters and other items of interest.
Disks cost £25 each plus £1.50 post & packing.
N.B. £1.50 p&p covers up to 3 disks posted in the UK. For larger orders and/or
overseas postage, please contact Sarah Montagu.
Click here for an order form. CDROM order form
ARM QUARTERLY NATIONAL MEETINGS These full-day meetings are held every three months, hosted by a local group. We try to vary the venues around the country to give everyone a chance to attend without having to travel too far. The agenda is varied, and always includes one or two debates/presentations on current issues, usually led by a member with expertise or special interest in that issue/topic. After lunch, there is a varied programme of workshops, plus the regular 'Caring & Sharing' session, a safe environment in which to share rough passages or great experiences. For the current programme of dates and venues, plus registration fee click here meetings
ARM LOCAL MEETINGS For details of your local groups please click here.
ARM ANNUAL GATHERING 2005:
Our 5th Annual Gathering will be held in the YHA Youth Hostel at Street, Somerset, from 23rd to 29th September. In addition to two or three optional workshops, there'll be plenty of opportunity for you to meet, greet, talk, sleep, walk, eat etc., and generally 'chill out'. Although details of the workshops have still to be finalised, bookings are now being taken for accommodation. You can book for the whole week, or just one or two days during the Gathering, or just for the workshops when details are available. The Steering Group meeting will be held on Friday evening (23rd), and the AGM the next day (Saturday 24th).
Book early, it's a popular holiday! For full details and booking forms please click here
If you are having difficulty in getting the kind of maternity care you want, please join the group (sometimes referred to as the 'List'), and post your query. You will get help and information from midwives and mothers in the group, and possibly from a midwife in your area.
It is an active email discussion group, well used by students, midwives, pregnant women, mothers, etc. as well as others seeking information, or just wishing to exchange views on various aspects of maternity care.
To join the group, click here UK Midwifery .
'ukmidwifery' Archives (or MIDWIVES' AND MOTHERS' WISDOM) These archives contain extracts from discussions held on the 'ukmidwifery' email discussion group, an email-based discussion group for people interested in midwifery in the UK. It is a lively group, exchanging opinions, experiences and options on many pregnancy and birth topics, open to midwives, students, mothers, and anyone interested in improving maternity services in UK.
Posts in these archives express the views of the individual authors, and not those of the Association of Radical Midwives.
About This Site
How to get the best out of it, break out of frames, get into frames, or contact
the Webmistress.
Last updated June 11, 2005 LW
If you have any problems using this site, please email linda.wylie@dsl.pipex.com
You are on the Homepage of the Association of Radical Midwives: www.midwifery.org.uk
