The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care sent a letter to College of Midwives of Ontario Council President Tiffany Haidon, announcing that they will be taking steps to expand health care professionals’ responsibilities. You can read the Minister’s letter here, and read Tiffany Haidon’s response here.
The Ministry has indicated to us that they will prioritize midwives’ increased access to laboratory tests and the expansion of scope of practice to include prescribing controlled substances. We believe these changes are in the public interest, and that this expansion will improve access to quality care in Ontario, benefitting midwifery clients.
The College has been proactive and has already devoted time and resources to these two initiatives, in accordance with our strategic priority to modernize legislation and regulations. Proposed changes to the Laboratories Regulation under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act will be going to the College’s Council in October for decision, and a discussion regarding the College’s Designated Drugs Regulation is also taking place at that meeting.
We will post the Council agenda two weeks in advance of the October 12th meeting, and encourage midwives, stakeholders, and members of the public to get in touch if you have any questions about this announcement, or the upcoming Council meeting.