Developing a culture of compassionate care-The midwife's voice?

In the UK in December a new vision was launched with theaim to improve midwifery and nursing care(DH, 2012a). This has come out of high profile media situations where nursing has been presented in a less than positive light (The Mid Statffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Inquiry, 2010; DH, 2012b). It follows on from a consultation on how to address the shortcomings within nursing and a previous strategy to promote dignity especially in relation to the care of the elderly (DH, 2006), though the issues are applicable across all areas of care. Within this vision midwives have been included underneath the umbrella of the report and the purpose of this article is to reflect on some of the challenges raised by the‘6C’s’ for midwifery practice and education