Expanding Access to Midwifery Services in Ontario

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $8.27 million for new and expanded midwifery services across the province that will connect thousands of families to faster care in their own community. This funding includes $4.82 million to expand midwifery services in community health centres, hospitals, family health teams and existing midwifery practices, as well as $3.45 million to support future initiatives put forward by health care providers to expand midwifery services in their community.

“Our government is building a more convenient and better connected health care system that puts people at its centre and improves their access to services in every corner of the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Strengthening and adding new midwifery services will ensure expectant families and their newborns have access to care closer to home.”

Services are being expanded in every region of the province and will:

• increase access to low-risk pregnancy and newborn care in both hospital and at home;
• build better integration between midwifery, newborn care and primary care to improve transition through every stage of care; and
• connect people to more culturally appropriate health care options – including traditional Indigenous health services – and improve outcomes.

Starting today, health care providers can also submit proposals to receive funding to expand access to midwifery service in hospitals or through primary health, team-based comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care. Up to $3.45 million is available, including $1.45 million for the province’s, which includes Indigenous Midwives working within interprofessional primary health care teams to expand Indigenous-led midwifery services in urban, rural, northern and on-reserve Indigenous communities.

Through the Your Health Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario continues to deliver convenient care where people need it most, right in their own communities.