Midwives to be recognized as health care professionals in N.L.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has announced long-awaited regulations for midwifery in the province.

In a news release Thursday, government officials said a series of regulations that outline the necessary training and qualifications for midwives will come into effect on Sept. 30. 

This means that midwifery will soon be officially recognized as a health care profession by the provincial government.

Health Minister John Haggie said in the release that the new regulations are an important step to setting a standard for midwives across the province. 

"These new regulations will facilitate the safe and responsible governance of midwifery in our province," he said. 

"We have developed the new regulations based on national standards and in close consultation with stakeholders both provincially and from across the country."

He said passing the new regulations was in some ways a personal triumph.

"My late wife was a U.K.-trained midwife and it was something she always advocated for," said Haggie.

"She I think would be really pleased."

One step closer to midwives practising

While the new regulations will come into effect on Sept. 30, Haggie said that's only the first step towards midwives being integrated into N.L. hospitals. 

"The next step is an implementation group," he said. 

"What that group is going to do is look at best practices in other jurisdictions, and figure out what would be the best way of integrating midwifery in our system."

He said once that is completed, the province can begin to place midwives into the health care system. 

"I think it will take some time to unroll, but I'm hoping that it won't take too long," said Haggie. 

"But that's [the] hope rather than a plan."

Ann Noseworthy, the president of the Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador, said she is happy to see her organization's advocacy for regulation pay off. 

"We have been working for a number of years to achieve the regulation of midwives in the province," she said.

"We look forward to our continued positive working relationship with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Midwifery was first legalized by Newfoundland and Labrador in 2010, but until now was not regulated.