Shortage of midwives remains critical in Milton, Mississauga

Ontario | Halton | Milton | Mississauga | Community | Health |

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Published May 27, 2024 at 9:57 am

milton mississauga midwife midwivery

Hawthorne Midwives, a dedicated group of healthcare professionals, celebrated a significant milestone in their campaign this week to expand midwifery services in the rapidly growing area of Milton.

The Halton Regional Council has unanimously passed a resolution that supports the urgent need for increased midwifery services.

Data from 2017-22 reveals more than 40 per cent of families in the Milton and northwest Mississauga area could not access midwifery care due to full capacity, compared to the provincial average of 35 per cent.

“This significant shortfall highlights the need for increased services to accommodate the community’s demands said Lynn Hendrick, a midwife and practice partner at Hawthorne Midwives.

“The unanimous resolution passed by Halton Council marks a pivotal moment for us. It recognizes the urgency and supports our call to action, reflecting our shared commitment to enhancing maternal health in one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities.”

The organization’s presentation to council outlined several key challenges currently facing the practice, including inadequate staff funding from the Ministry of Health, which has limited the number of pregnant women they can care for to 190.

In 2023 alone, 460 pregnant women were turned away. Since the practice opened in 2018, 1,848 expectant mothers have been turned away due to the limited number of midwives.

To address these issues, Hawthorne Midwives has a comprehensive plan. They aim to increase their care allocation for pregnant women from 190 to 280 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and obtain immediate approval from the Ministry of Health to hire two new registered midwives and two new midwife graduates.

“These measures are essential to preventing burnout among current staff, increasing service availability, and ensuring sustainable healthcare services that align with Milton’s growing population,” said a spokesperson.

Halton council has encouraged Halton midwifery organizations to continue working with their local Transfer Payment Agency as part of the annual budget process to address pressures and service demands from population growth.

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