February 27, 2014
Midwifery Regulations Will Benefit Children, Families and Communities
New Report Will Guide Implementation of Midwifery Regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador
Implementing Midwifery in Newfoundland and Labrador, a report released by the Provincial Government today, will help guide the establishment of midwifery in Newfoundland and Labrador. The first step in this process will begin with developing regulations, concerning the private practice of this profession, under the Health Professions Act.
“As a government, it is our responsibility to assess and determine how we can best serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador by establishing safe and cost-effective health care practices. The report examined the potential of regulating midwifery as a means of providing quality health care for childbearing women and their families in our province. We are pleased with what we have learned, and we will be working with the Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals and the Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador to establish a transitional College of Midwives. Properly regulating this practice will protect mothers and their infants, and ensure that midwives have the appropriate training and qualifications and provide important recognition of this professional group.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services
The Provincial Government will also be appointing an implementation coordinator and an advisory committee to help inform the process of regulating midwives in the province. Implementing Midwifery in Newfoundland and Labrador was prepared by Dr. Karyn Kaufman and Helen McDonald, professors from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University, and involved consultation with a number of local health care stakeholders. To read the report please visit: //www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/Midwifery_Report_2014.pdf.
“Establishing midwifery is a long-term investment because it takes policy changes, time and effort to integrate practitioners and a period of time to have sufficient midwives to have an impact on the provision of maternity care. We will continue to work with the provincial midwifery body as they form their professional college and provide submissions for the development of regulations.”
- Minister Sullivan
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is releasing the report Implementing Midwifery in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The report will serve as a guide for establishing midwifery in this province, beginning with regulating the practice under the Health Professions Act.
- The report was prepared by two consultants from McMaster University and submitted to the Provincial Government in December 2013.
- The report involved consultation with key stakeholders in the province including the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association; regional health authorities; MUN School of Nursing; MUN Family Medicine; Department of Health and Community Services; Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador; Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador; and, Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals.
- Once regulated, midwifery will be available to the public as a service paid for by the client or through employee and private insurance companies.
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Media contact:Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-4104
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca
2014 02 27 3:40 p.m.