GOVERNMENT PROCLAIMS MIDWIFERY LEGISLATION

The provincial government has proclaimed legislation allowing for the delivery of regulated midwifery services in Saskatchewan.

The proclamation of additional sections of The Midwifery Act will make midwifery a provincially recognized and self-regulated health profession. As well, the new Saskatchewan Party government has approved a bylaw that will enable midwives to provide post-partum care to ensure mother and baby have a good start.

The Midwifery Act will make midwifery a provincially recognized and self-regulated health profession.

"The government supports innovative programs that help ensure Saskatchewan women have healthy pregnancies," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This legislation broadens the options for women and their families."

Saskatchewan's regional health authorities will employ midwives who will provide publicly funded services, while private practice midwives will continue to charge clients directly for their services.

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and the Saskatoon Health Region will be the first health regions to offer midwifery services, with midwives expected to be on the job later this year. Services will be expanded throughout the province as more midwives are licensed.

Midwives will assess and monitor women and their babies during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period. They will have privileges to perform deliveries in the hospital or, if appropriate, in a client's home.

Midwives will be able to order tests and assessments, including ultrasounds. They will also be able to prescribe and administer many common drugs that are used during pregnancy, birth and throughout the postpartum period.

In February 2007, the government proclaimed sections of The Midwifery Act to lay the ground work for the establishment of the Saskatchewan College of Midwives.

The College of Midwives will regulate the practice of midwifery in the province. It will have the authority to enact bylaws and manage the affairs and business of the profession.
McMorris said the contributions of midwives and other health care professionals was an invaluable asset in the planning for the introduction of this new regulated health profession.

As an interim measure, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan has passed a bylaw under The Medical Profession Act, 1981 to enable midwives to provide postpartum care. During the spring sitting of the legislature, the government intends to amend The Midwifery Act to entrench the provisions regarding postpartum care in legislation.

Saskatchewan is the seventh province or territory to pass legislation allowing for the provision of regulated midwifery services.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca