Printed material published by the Royal College of Midwives

This collection comprises printed material, including annual reports, position statements and practice guidelines, published by the Royal College of Midwives (formally known as the Midwives Institute) (1902-2000).

It was announced at the General Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Midwives (formally known as the Midwives Institute) in 1887 that membership had risen from 26 to 170. However at the same time it was recognised that this membership was largely to be found in London and that if the aims of the organisation were to be achieved, it must widen its appeal throughout the United Kingdom.

During the early years, 'Nursing Notes' (later the Midwives Chronicle), a journal published in house by the Royal College of Midwives and edited by Emma Brierly, consequently became the principle means employed to communicate with this dispersed audience.

The Royal College of Midwives continues to have a vital role in disseminating information about professional midwifery practice, as well as ensuring that there is a recognised platform for sharing good practice. The publication of the RCM Midwives Journal as well as position statements, practice guidelines, patient information, education resources and promotional material is accomplished through the collaboration of a number of different departments at the headquarters.

The original order of material is retained, although where this is not possible the arrangement of files has been based on the functions and activities of the organisation as well as chronology, subject and the needs of users.

Permission is required for external access to records less than twenty years old. Also restrictions apply if material includes personal information of living individuals. All other records are open to research by appointment, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. For further information about accessing the collection and visiting the reading room, please contact: archives@rcog.co.uk

There is no record of the source or date of acquisition before this material was deposited under the terms of a collection care agreement at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in May 2011.

Catalogued by Clare Sexton, Project Archivist in accordance with ISAD(G).

Further details of the contents of this collection are available on request.

Copyright belongs to the Royal College of Midwives. To reproduce this material, please apply via the College Archivist: archives@rcog.co.uk

This collection was previously held at the Royal College of Midwives.