Midwives granted new powers under updated Sask. regulations

Midwives in Saskatchewan will have new powers to prescribe more drugs and order X-rays and other tests under updated provincial regulations.

According to the Ministry of Health, the government is making amendments to The Midwifery Regulations through amendments first proposed by the Saskatchewan College of Midwives.

Under the new regulations, midwives will be allowed to prescribe from a category of drugs rather than a specific list. That means that when a new drug becomes available, midwives can prescribe it right away rather than needing to wait for regulatory updates.

The changes also allow midwives to order X-rays “where clinically appropriate” and to conduct hearing screening on newborns.

The college will require its members to go through necessary training and continually update their competencies in order to ensure they can safely provide the services, the ministry noted.

Health Minister Everett Hindley said the new rules will help midwives provide the best care possible.

“These amendments allow midwives to provide a greater scope of services, allowing for timely and more accessible care for Saskatchewan residents,” Hindley said in a statement.

Laura Ross, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for the Status of Women Office, said the changes will offer women more options when it comes to their care.

“Providing women with choice in their reproductive health is important and strengthening the role of midwives helps ensure women can make those choices with confidence,” Ross said in a statement.

“Ensuring midwives can provide more fulsome care for women means greater access for those in communities across the province.”

The move comes as Saskatchewan struggles with a shortage of health-care professionals, including doctors.