Health and Community Services
May 18, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Communities:

Minister Reports on Midwifery Milestone

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to outline a major milestone our government has reached in the implementation of regulated midwifery into the provincial health care system.

As announced publicly this week, a midwifery consultant has been successfully recruited who will work with the regional health authorities, and other key stakeholders, to lay the groundwork for midwifery in our province.

Gisela Becker has been recruited as the Provincial Midwifery Consultant and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position, including in direct care, leadership, advocacy, teaching and research. Ms. Becker has practised in a variety of settings in Germany, the Caribbean and Canada and has extensive experience in rural and remote midwifery services and collaborative maternity care.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Becker’s recruitment builds on the introduction of the Midwives Regulations, which came into force on September 30, 2016, under the Health Professions Act. She will begin work in September 2017.

I ask this Honourable House to join with me in welcoming Ms. Becker and in marking this significant step in bringing midwifery to our public health care system.

Thank you.

2017 05 18                              1:50 p.m.