Addendum to YFFM Midwifery Regulation Consultation Response

Addendum to Midwifery Regulation Consultation Response
on behalf of
Yukoners for Funded Midwifery
May 14, 2010

In the last few weeks of consultation, there has been discussion among members and supporters of Yukoners for Funded Midwifery regarding what regulations would look like. The consumer response to whether to regulate is not unanimous, with some consumers thinking it is better to integrate midwifery into the health care system as quickly as possible in order to obtain funding, and others concerned about the potential costs to the profession and to women if a careful, considered, consumer-centered approach is not taken, especially in light of the Yukon Medical Association President Dr. Tadepalli’s position on the exclusion of homebirth and the unknown overall position of the Yukon Medical Association.

Women who have used and paid for midwifery services in the territory are aware of the high caliber of those services and highly value their experiences of informed choice, continuity of care, and the optimal environment created for physiological birth without unnecessary interventions. These are the true consumers of midwifery services, and the consumers who are truly informed about the benefits of midwifery the way it is currently practiced in the Yukon and the potential disadvantages of regulation.

We are concerned that members of the public who have not used midwifery services, including childbearing women, do not currently have enough information about the advantages and disadvantages of regulation to make an informed decision. We are also concerned that all of the public, including consumers of midwifery services, do not have enough information regarding what regulations would actually look like to make an informed decision on the question of whether midwifery should be regulated. Our initial consultation response reflects this lack of information.

We are also very concerned that if midwifery should be regulated that consumers and midwives will not be at the center of all discussions, planning, and final decisions. This concern is highlighted by Health & Social Services neglect to inform YFFM that we were in consultation beginning on April 1, 2010. YFFM only found out that we were in consultation from a Yukon News reporter on April 12, 2010. This raises grave concerns as to the importance the government places on consumer input. Regulations that are not consumer and midwife designed put the public at risk for harm, acting in opposition to the very public safety they are supposed to create.

In light of these concerns we request that the Yukon government delay a decision about whether to regulate or not until after more information has been gathered on what regulations would look like.

We propose a public information campaign created and led by consumers and midwives, with support from the government for networking with stakeholders and the provision of funding for the campaign from the government. YFFM is currently preparing a survey to begin the process of gathering information regarding what regulations the different stakeholder groups would like to see. We would need to explore possible models of regulation and funding of midwifery services, and their impact on Whitehorse and the communities.

It is also important that the First Nations be included in any stakeholder discussions, and their exclusion from the process so far is a severe oversight on the part of Health & Social Services, and in fact in many ways significantly negates the process so far, as the voices of the First Nations have not been heard.

The health of mothers and babies in the Yukon is of utmost importance, both now and for the future. We will not sacrifice ourselves or our babies on the altar of government procedure or doctor’s uninformed opinions. Birth belongs to mothers, midwifery belongs to mothers, and we will not be satisfied with a process that does not put our concerns, our choices, and our leadership as the directive for all decisions.

Please respond to our request for a delay in the decision on whether midwifery should be regulated and the proposed information campaign by Friday, May 21, 2010.