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September 19, 2008 Midwives welcome provincial maternity strategy The Association of Ontario Midwives applauds the Liberal Government's announcement to invest in revitalizing and improving maternal and child health in Ontario. Katrina Kilroy, AOM President, attended the announcement at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto this morning. "Midwives are pleased to see a revitalized health care strategy for mothers and their babies that includes a focus on delivering the best care, as close to home as possible," says Kilroy. "Ontario midwives are a key part of that strategy, attending about 11,000 births in the province last year, of which approximately 3,000 were planned home births." Today's strategic announcement follows a 2007 investment in midwifery specifically. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funded an expansion to midwifery training, and funding is also earmarked for when those additional university graduates are practicing in 2012 and beyond. The Ministry of Health funds midwives, and care is free to clients. "Midwives specialize in normal birth," says Kilroy. "We're glad to see the provincial government embrace a strategy that will increase the number of women who can access midwifery care, as well as planning for families who need other, more specialized services." There are 435 Registered Midwives in Ontario, serving communities in 72 clinics across the province. Midwives have privileges at 70 Ontario A midwife is a registered health care professional who provides primary care to low-risk women throughout their pregnancy, labour and birth and provides care to both mother and baby during the first six weeks following the birth. The Association of Ontario Midwives is the professional body representing midwives and the practice of midwifery in Ontario. |
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