(Photo: Quinte News / File)
A group supporting midwives in the Quinte Region wants to see a broader scope of practice for them locally.
Currently women within the QHC area who have a “spontaneous and natural birth” can have a midwife continue their care, but advocate Michelle Stroud tells Quinte News the scope is so narrow that in many other situations care is shifted to an on-call obstetrician at the hospital instead.
Stroud says the change in care can be emotionally tough on some mothers who have bonded with their midwife, but also on taxpayers, since two healthcare practitioners are assigned to one patient.
The midwife support group is holding a walk from South Foster Park to Belleville General and back, starting at 5:30 this evening.
Meanwhile, officials at Quinte Health Care say they are prepared to listen to a midwives’ advocacy group, when they arrive at BGH.
Chief Nursing Officer Carol Smith-Romeril tells Quinte News QHC’s medical leadership group would have to have a discussion about expanding the scope of practice.
Smith-Romeril adds it’s important to hear what the group has to say, because patient experience is really important to how QHC delivers services and they’ll go through the process of addressing those concerns.
