We are pleased to share that the Ministry of Health is now consulting on proposed changes to General Regulation under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act, 1990.
Expanding the list of laboratory tests that midwives are able to order will ensure clients have access to necessary tests during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and decrease the number of unnecessary consultations with other health care providers for routine tests. This will simplify and streamline client care by decreasing additional visits to other health care providers.
There are many new additions to the list of laboratory tests that midwives will be able to order, including point of care tests like the Group B Strep rapid screen, and genetic screening tests like Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). To see the proposed changes, click here.
The proposed expansion encompasses most of the tests that midwives might order in the scope of midwifery practice and includes tests that can facilitate timely consultations with other care providers when required. The College believes the proposed changes will:
- Ensure clients have access to routine tests during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum directly through their midwife.
- Decrease the number of unnecessary consultations with physicians for routine tests.
- Facilitate timely consultations with physicians by providing a more complete clinical picture.
- Ensure healthy, pregnant people can receive the care they need without unnecessary additional primary care or hospital visits.
While our original submission to the Ministry recommended that midwives have broad access to laboratory tests in accordance with midwifery scope, the Ministry is proposing an expansion to the list at this time. The College supports expanding the list of laboratory tests midwives as we believe it will improve client care, however, we will continue to work with the Ministry for a solution that best serves the public interest.
The Ministry collected feedback about the proposed changes to the General Regulation under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act, 1990 on their website here. The consultation closed on May 25, 2024.