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Midwives Quit NHS Under 35: Burnout Crisis
20 Jul
Summary
- Midwives under 35 are leaving the NHS due to burnout.
- Younger midwives quitting has increased by 59% since 2014-15.
- Maternity care safety is threatened by worsening staff shortages.
An alarming trend sees increasing numbers of UK midwives leaving the National Health Service before the age of 35, exacerbating critical staffing shortages in maternity units. Between 2025 and 2026, 1,669 midwives aged 34 or younger resigned from the NHS in England, representing over half of all midwife resignations that year. This figure is a 59% rise compared to the 1,051 young midwives who left in 2014-15.
The intense demands of maternity care, including complex births and inherent risks, are believed to be the driving force behind this early career exodus. Additionally, nearly a quarter of midwifery students are reportedly dropping out of their degree courses. These departures contribute significantly to the "staffing emergency" identified across UK maternity services, with many midwives considering leaving the profession due to concerns over staffing levels and patient safety.
Professionals express deep concern over losing experienced staff and valuable talent so early in their careers. Recent reviews of maternity care have consistently highlighted staff shortages as a primary issue endangering patient safety. While the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges these concerns and points to record numbers of midwives and new support measures, the crisis in early-career retention persists, impacting the quality of care for mothers and newborns.
