Midwives across the province will now be able to complete more prescriptions and administer new medications, among other changes. Photo Credit: iStock.
The Ontario government is taking more action to reduce patient wait times and ensure that medical care is provided with maximum efficiency. Midwives across the province will now be able to complete more prescriptions, administer new medications for a much larger list of common ailments, deliver an enhanced portfolio of vaccinations and comprehensively manage labour pain for women in hospital.
“My wife and I have delivered both of our children with Midwives,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “We know firsthand the professionalism and access to care that midwives provide in communities in Niagara, and I am excited to see that they will be able to provide more health care services to mothers across Ontario.”
Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, also celebrated the announcement.
“Our government is continuing to ensure people have access to the care they need, when they need it,” said Jones. “By making changes to allow midwives to provide more care through additional treatments and more vaccines, we are connecting more people to convenient care, while reducing the need for referrals to other providers.”
Certified midwives will be able to provide vaccinations for the Flu, RSV and Coronavirus, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, Rotavirus and Chickenpox. Midwives can also deliver treatment for many sexually transmitted diseases and illnesses caused by narcotics. Finally, midwives are being given the tools to confidently prescribe antibiotic, antibacterial and antifungal therapeutics in order to address a wider range of reproductive conditions and other common ailments.
“This expansion is a positive step in further integrating midwives into the health care system and will help to improve both the quality and timeliness of care for midwifery clients,” explained Pilar Chapman, Registered Midwife and Site Lead at the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. “We are grateful to the provincial government for recognizing and supporting initiatives that will allow midwives to further enhance their scope of care and work to their fullest capacity.”
Jennifer Gasparotto, Niagara Health’s Head of Midwifery, shared her excitement for this development.
“The Ontario government’s expansion of the list of drugs midwives can prescribe and administer is a welcome change that will improve wait times, ease the burden on obstetricians and make home births safer,” said Gasparotto. “Increasing the scope of what midwives can do will improve the efficiency of treatment for patients as they won’t have to wait for a doctor to order and administer these medications. This is an important recognition by the government of the important role midwives have in the healthcare system.”
Those who are interested in learning more about the role and work of midwives are invited to visit the Association of Ontario Midwives webpage: AOM
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
