PROVINCE INVESTS IN MIDWIFERY SERVICE EXPANSION

As the world celebrates the International Day of the Midwife on May 5, the Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce an investment of $500,000 to ensure more women have better access to midwifery services.

This funding will be used to provide additional resources over the next year to support expansion of midwifery services in the province. The Ministry of Health will work closely with the regional health authorities to determine how to best allocate these resources.

"Putting patients first is a priority for our government and the midwifery model of care is an excellent example of a patient-centred service," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Health regions are able to make publicly-funded midwifery services a part of the overall maternal and infant health services available to families."

The province currently provides funding of $1.7 million annually for midwifery services. This funding is allocated for midwifery practices in the Saskatoon, Cypress and Regina Regional Health Authorities, to support the regulatory function of the Saskatchewan College of Midwives, and to provide bursaries to students enrolled in midwifery education programs.

The province will also continue to work to recruit Canadian and internationally-trained midwives to Saskatchewan, through bursary programs and support for assessment programs such as the Multi-jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Program.

It is expected that midwifery services will be expanded throughout the province as more midwives are licensed and able to provide services and as resources become available.

Midwifery services first became available in the Saskatoon area in January 2009 and have since expanded to Regina, Swift Current and All Nations Healing Hospital in Fort Qu'Appelle. There are currently 11 midwives registered to practice in the province, and more than 580 babies have been delivered by midwives since the service was established.

Midwives work as specialists in normal birth. They provide women with another option for the management of their pregnancy, delivery and post-partum care of their children. Midwives can apply for privileges to do deliveries in the hospital or, if appropriate, can do deliveries in the comfort of the client's own home.

For information on midwifery services in the communities where these services are available, residents can contact their health region.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca