March 20, 2020
COVID-19: Information and Support for Registered Midwives in Newfoundland and Labrador
The College of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the impact COVID- 19 for CMNL members. We are here to support you as you adapt your usual work routines in effort to meet the needs of your clients while optimizing the safety of yourself and your community. During this time, we urge you to check regularly with the pandemic strategy plan of your Regional Health Authority. The CMNL understands there may be a need to adjust your normal practice standards while providing obstetrical and newborn care during the pandemic. We will be flexible and supportive while you adapt to provide client centered and safe care within your scope. We expect you will use your professional judgement during these trying times.
We encourage you to implement enhanced infection prevention and control measures to reduce exposure risks for yourself and your clients from COVID-19. It is essential that Registered Midwives follow the provincial public health directions and guidance.
If you cannot meet a standard of the profession, ensure that your clients receive the best care possible in the current circumstances and document your rationale for the decision you made. You are accountable for your decisions and client care and must justify them. If you have questions, you may contact the College of Midwives of Newfoundland or Labrador at midwivesnl@gmail.com or you may contact the NLCHP at secretary@nlchp.ca
We are aware that there could be reduced access to courses in Emergency Skills, CPR and NRP during COVID-19 and the CMNL in partnership with the NLCHP is committed to extensions of certificates renewals, if necessary. The NLCHP has also confirmed that in partnership with CMNL and HIROC, emergency midwifery registration and insurance may be considered if locum or short-term relief is required.
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The College of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMNL) was established as a requirement of the Health Professions Act (2010). Its primary role is to protect those who avail of midwifery care, specifically childbearing women and babies.Under the Health Professions Act, the Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals (NLCHP) , an independent body, was established to govern the regulation of midwifery, along with a number of other health professions designated under this Act. In order to enhance public protection, the NLCHP is charged with the responsibility of regulating the midwifery profession and the other designated health professions, in the areas of registration, professional standards and quality assurance, as well as in matters regarding allegations and discipline.
The CMNL works in conjunction with the NLCHP,to serve and protect the public interest by ensuring that the midwife upholds the standards of competent midwifery care, maintains all the necessary requirements for registration, remains current regarding safe midwifery care, and practices in accordance with the College’s Code of Ethics, Model of Care , Competencies for Practice, and other policies and guidelines.The College sets the standards of professional practice and develops guidelines to ensure that registered midwives meet these standards. It approves programs of study and education, and develops requirements for entry to practice, recertification and continuing competency. Only midwives who meet the criteria for registration, and are in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Health Professions Act, the Midwives’ Regulations, the NLCHP and the CMNL, can use the protected title of “registered midwife”.
The CMNL membership regards pregnancy and childbirth as normal physiological processes and promotes a model of care that regards midwives as autonomous primary health care practitioners, who provide woman centred care, and respect the principles of informed choice, continuity of care, choice of birth setting and evidence informed practice.
The College, in conjunction with the NLCHP, enhances public protection by supporting its members to achieve high standards of clinical competence and professional and ethical behaviour. In this way, the public can be assured that a midwife, who is registered in this province, has the knowledge, skills and competence to provide safe, high quality, evidence informed care.