A student midwife nearing the end of her training has spoken out about fears she may be unable to find work within the NHS — despite completing over 2,300 hours of unpaid placements and the ongoing shortage of midwives across the UK.
Aimee Peach, 43, from Bridgwater, Somerset, is set to qualify next summer after three years of academic study and hands-on training, including the delivery of at least 40 babies.
Yet she says the once-promised pathway into employment has “collapsed”, leaving her and many others on the brink of leaving the profession before even starting.
“We Just Want to Work as Midwives”
“There are so many of us who just want to support women and families as qualified midwives after gruelling training,” said Peach.
“But we’re now facing the terrifying reality that there may be only a handful of NHS midwife jobs available.”
Last month, a Royal College of Midwives (RCM) survey revealed that eight in ten final-year student midwives lacked confidence they’d secure employment after graduation. This comes amid rising reports of maternity unit closures due to unsafe staffing levels.
NHS Cuts Blocking Hiring Despite National Shortage
Although the UK is estimated to be short of more than 2,500 midwives, the RCM says recruitment freezes and funding shortfalls are preventing managers from filling desperately needed roles.
Fiona Gibb, Director of Midwifery at the RCM, commented: “Every report we see cites understaffing as a key barrier to safe maternity care. Yet our newly qualified midwives are being left without job opportunities because posts simply aren’t being funded.”
“I’ve Slept in My Car for This Career – Now There’s No Job Waiting”
Peach has juggled her degree with raising three children and commuting up to 80 miles for placement shifts. On several occasions, she slept overnight in her car during back-to-back 12-hour unpaid shifts.
She had hoped a career in midwifery would improve her family’s financial future and fulfil her passion for improving women’s birth experiences.
“No one chooses this career for comfort — it’s physically and mentally demanding,” she said. “But to come this far and find the door closed is devastating.”
Just Four Jobs for Thousands of Newly Qualified Midwives
Earlier this month, Peach contacted her local MP, Ashley Fox, highlighting the urgent issue. She cited a recent national job search that uncovered only four NHS Band 5 midwifery roles across England — despite widespread staff shortages.
“There’s no shortage of midwives — only a shortage of funded posts,” she wrote. “I’ve seen the consequences of staff burnout and understaffing first-hand. We need guarantees.”
Peach is calling for:
- Guaranteed NHS jobs for new midwifery graduates
- More funding for maternity services
- Student debt relief for healthcare workers who remain in the NHS for five years
- Fox responded saying he would raise the issue in Parliament.
RCM Urges UK Governments to End Midwife Recruitment Freezes
The RCM is now urging all four UK governments to review workforce planning, halt recruitment freezes, and ensure new midwives can enter the workforce.
“Having enough midwives with the right training is essential to improving the safety of maternity care,” said Gibb. “We cannot afford to waste this new talent.”
Government Pledges to Address Midwifery Job Shortage
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating:
“Student midwives like Aimee represent the future of the NHS. It is unacceptable that they cannot find work.”
Officials confirmed NHS England has launched a dedicated programme with employers, unions, and educators to tackle the problem and will update the NHS workforce plan later this year.
