Shortage of midwives becoming critical in Mississauga and Milton
Published April 23, 2024 at 11:59 am
Mothers-to-be are having difficult times finding midwives in Milton and northwest Mississauga according to an organization the provides them.
Hawthorne Midwives, located in Milton, has urged the Ministry of Health to immediately address a significant shortfall in midwifery services.
“We are at a critical juncture where the inability to expand our services affects the health and well-being of one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada,” said Karin Sundararajan, a partner at Hawthorne Midwives.
“The demand has placed unsustainable pressure on our staff, risking severe burnout. Immediate action by the Ministry of Health to utilize the available caseload in other parts of the province could significantly alleviate these challenges.”
Hawthorne Midwives said there is an alarmingly high demand and a severe shortage of available care and is advocating for an increase in the allocation of expectant mothers they can care for and the approval to hire additional registered midwives.
Milton, noted for its rapidly increasing population and the highest percentage of reproductive-age females in Canada, saw 460 people unable to receive midwifery services from Hawthorne in 2023. Since 2018, 1848 expectant mothers have been turned away because of the lack of capacity.
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“The current allocation is 190 expectant mothers per year, which is insufficient to meet the community’s needs. Therefore, HM is requesting a minimal increase in care for 280 clients for the 2024-2025 fiscal year,” said a spokesperson in a news release.
The proposed expansion, which includes hiring two experienced midwives and two new graduates, will help manage the community’s high demand for continuous care and significantly reduce the number of people denied essential midwifery services.
“This is a vital step towards ensuring sustainable healthcare operations that can grow with Milton’s demographics.”
Midwifery care is recognized for its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional hospital-based maternity care.
Studies conducted in Ontario and other regions have highlighted several economic benefits associated with midwifery including:
- Lower intervention rates
- Shorter hospital stays
- Fewer readmissions
“Expanding midwifery services in Northwest Mississauga and Milton addresses a critical gap in healthcare provision for a growing, diverse population and offers significant economic benefit,” said the spokesperson.
“By increasing the number of midwives and caseloads, Hawthorne Midwives will contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system, ensuring cost savings are realized while maintaining high-quality care and improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The economic and health benefits support the case for investing in midwifery care as an essential component of the community’s healthcare infrastructure.”
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