Large number of staff will retire in the next ten years

The current midwifery and obstetrics workforce is ageing. Around 40 per cent of NHS midwives are likely to retire in the next 10 years. There are potentially mixed effects from the changes to pensions, but we should consider the possibility that in the future NHS staff are likely to retire later. Larger numbers of newly qualified midwives are joining the profession as a result of the increase in pre-registration commissions. Since 2001 the number of midwives employed in the NHS has risen by 17 per cent. However, the age profile of the workforce means that there will be a shortage of mid-career staff.

In addition, the maternity educationalist workforce is also ageing, which may create capacity constraints. While higher education institution lecturer scales are broadly comparable to Agenda for Change band 7 scales, London weighting is considerably less in the education sector.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.