The government is providing an additional $1,062,891 this year to support midwives in Chatham-Kent, Essex, and Windsor, according to Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent Leamington.
Approximately 140,000 babies are born each year in Ontario, and families are looking for more options when it comes to choosing their care. Ontario is providing $178 million for midwifery services this year, supporting up to 35,000 families.
“Investing in midwifery is smart and moves us closer on the path of health reform that seeks to provide quality, cost-effective care that delivers excellent outcomes. Midwifery is an excellent example of care that supports seamless transitions between community and hospital, is available 24/7, and provides care that places the patient at the centre,” said Elizabeth Brandeis of the Association of Ontario Midwives, in a media release.
The government is also expanding the scope of practice for midwives to allow them to prescribe more medications to clients.
“The Midwives of Chatham-Kent Inc., the Midwifery Collective of Essex County, and Midwives of Windsor all do fantastic work getting families off to a great start with new children,” said Nicholls. “This additional funding will mean more families in Chatham-Kent, Leamington, Essex, and Windsor will be able to access quality care from a midwife during pregnancy, birth, as well as six weeks of support once their baby is born.”
These specific investments for the region are $348,489 to Midwives of Chatham Kent, $344,016 to Midwifery Collective of Essex County and $370,386 to Midwives of Windsor.
