Today, on May 3, 2024, the government announced that a new Designated Drugs and Substances Regulation has come into effect, setting out a list of drugs midwives can prescribe and substances that midwives can administer by injection or inhalation on a midwife’s own authority within the scope of midwifery practice.
The College of Midwives of Ontario supports midwifery clients being able to access the care they need through their chosen provider. This expansion to the list will improve access to treatments for midwifery clients across the province. The College of Midwives of Ontario is proud to be a part of delivering this expansion with the Ministry of Health.
Access to these new drugs and substances will reduce the need for midwifery clients to seek care outside midwifery for treatment that is within the midwifery scope of practice, improving the quality and timeliness of care for clients.
The changes to the list include hormonal contraceptives, expanded analgesia, additional antibiotics, updates to the vaccines that a midwife can administer to include many routine vaccines clients receive during pregnancy, and other additions to align with current best practices. With the new regulation, midwives will be able prescribe and administer all items on the expanded list as long as they have the knowledge, skill, and judgment to do so safely and effectively.
Midwives and clients who are seeking more information about the changes to the regulation can take a look at our new online resource.
Ontario’s midwives are fully integrated with the public health care system and care for parents from the first pregnancy test through childbirth and into infancy. Midwives provide care in various settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, and birth centres. Ontario’s midwives are primary-care providers who provide comprehensive, person-centred care.
The College partners with midwives, the Ontario public health care system, and the government to ensure Ontarians who choose midwifery care can expect skilled, safe, and ethical care.