Data released through parliamentary questions shows a significant trend of early-career midwife departures from the NHS in England, raising concerns about the sustainability of maternity services. During 2025-26, a total of 1,669 midwives aged 34 or under resigned from the health service, accounting for 57% of all 2,949 midwife resignations across all age groups. This cohort included 205 midwives under 25, 655 between 25 and 29, and 809 between 30 and 34. The exodus of younger midwives represents a significant acceleration, with the 2025-26 figure running 59% higher than the 1,051 departures recorded in 2014-15.
The staffing challenges extend beyond current practitioners to those still in training. Additional data indicates that approximately one in four midwifery students do not complete their three-year degree programs. Of 3,565 students who began midwifery degrees in 2021, only 2,725 graduated in 2024, resulting in 840 dropouts representing 24% of the initial cohort. Since midwifery students spend most of their second and third years working directly in maternity units, their departure compounds existing staffing pressures.
The Royal College of Midwives has characterized the situation as a “staffing emergency” affecting maternity care across the UK. Union representatives attribute the departures to burnout resulting from inadequate staffing levels, excessive workloads, missed breaks, and unpaid hours. A recent RCM survey found that three-quarters of midwives have considered leaving the profession over the previous year, primarily due to concerns regarding staffing and patient safety. Recent high-profile reviews of English maternity services by Donna Ockenden and Valerie Amos both identified staff shortages as critical safety concerns.
While approximately 10% of all NHS midwives depart annually, the rates are substantially higher among younger cohorts. Data shows that 14.6% of midwives aged 25 to 29 and 16.6% of those aged 30 to 34 left during 2025-26. The Department of Health and Social Care reported that the NHS currently employs a record 25,500 full-time-equivalent midwives, representing an increase of 2,000 positions since July 2024, and cited recent initiatives including new staff standards, flexible working arrangements, and additional midwifery training roles backed by £10 million in funding.
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