Today, Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 18, the Midwifery Integration Amendments Act. The proposed legislation would allow registered midwives working in the territory to better utilize their full scope of practice.
These amendments would introduce legislative changes to support newly regulated midwives to operate efficiently and safely within the Yukon’s health care system. With these changes, registered midwives would be able to work to their full scope of practice, and midwifery clients will be able to experience improved continuity of care.
The Bill includes amendments to four different pieces of legislation: the Care Consent Act; the Employment Standards Act; the Interpretation Act; and the Public Health and Safety Act.
Amendments to the Care Consent Act would ensure that registered midwives can continue to lead the appropriate care for their clients in an emergency situation outside of a hospital setting.
Amendments to the Employment Standards Act would ensure registered midwives have the authority to provide certificates for maternity leave and for leave related to health problems associated with pregnancy.
Amendments to the Interpretation Act would create a standard definition for the term “registered midwife” across Yukon legislation.
Amendments to the Public Health and Safety Act would include primary health care nurses and registered midwives on the list of health professionals upon whom a reporting obligation may be imposed by regulation with respect to communicable diseases.
The Midwifery Integration Amendments Act would support our work to ensure that midwifery services are fully integrated into the Yukon’s health care system. This legislation would allow health care providers to work within the full scope of their practice while providing new and expecting Yukon parents with additional options for pregnancy, birth and postpartum care.
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On April 15, 2021, the Midwives Regulation under the Health Professions Act (HPA) came into force. The regulatory framework and scope of practice for midwifery services provided a broad scope of practice for the Yukon’s Registered Midwives.
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The Yukon Midwifery clinic in Whitehorse officially opened its doors on July 7, 2022.
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The Yukon’s approach to midwifery care is aligned with national standards and best practices, including for patient safety.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Thibaut Rondel
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-393-6393
thibaut.rondel@yukon.ca