05/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/03/2024 09:07
TORONTO - The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient for patients to connect to care by expanding the list of drugs that midwives can prescribe and administer for the first time since 2010. This expansion includes additional routine vaccinations, treatment for nausea, vomiting and acid reflux, labour management, birth control and management of labour pain in a hospital setting.
"Our government is continuing to ensure people have access to the care they need, when they need it," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "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."
The province has made changes that reflect the training and expertise of Ontario's highly skilled midwives by allowing them to:
As part of the Your Health plan, the Ontario government is making it easier for highly skilled, regulated health care professionals, including midwives, to work to the full extent of their training and expertise to better serve the needs of people in a connected and convenient manner.
"The College of Midwives of Ontario supports midwifery clients being able to access the care they need through their chosen provider. The expansion to the list of drugs and substances that midwives can prescribe and administer on their own authority will improve access to treatments for midwifery clients across the province. The College of Midwives of Ontario is proud to be a part of delivering this expansion with the Ministry of Health."
- Kelly Dobbin
Registrar and CEO of the College of Midwives of Ontario
"As a midwife, this update to the midwifery drug regulation reflects a long-awaited step forward in recognizing the skilled and comprehensive care midwives provide to our clients. These changes will facilitate client access to timely and appropriate treatment, mitigate unnecessary delays and promote cost-efficiency within the health care system at a time when we are all feeling the impacts of the health human resource crisis. The Association of Midwives is supportive of regulatory amendments that reduce barriers to midwives practicing to their fullest scope and remains committed to ensuring accessible, high quality midwifery care to all Ontarians."
- Jasmin Tecson, RM
President of the Association of Midwives Board of Directors
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