News
May 22, 2024
Hawthorne Midwives Encouraged by Unanimous Council Support for Urgent Expansion
of Services in Halton Region
Oakville, Ontario – Today, Hawthorne Midwives, a dedicated group of healthcare professionals, celebrated a significant milestone in their campaign 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, a move that aligns with the Halton Region’s objectives and underscores the critical nature of this issue within the region.
Recent BORN data (2017-2022) reveals that 42.5% of families in the Milton and Northwest Mississauga area could not access midwifery care due to full capacity, compared to the provincial average of 35.3%. This significant shortfall highlights the need for increased services to accommodate the community’s demands.
Lynn Hendrick, RM, a midwife and practice partner at Hawthorne Midwives, highlighted the critical need for increased resources as a delegation at the Council meeting. “The unanimous resolution passed by the Halton Regional 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,” she stated.
The presentation to the council outlined several key challenges currently facing the practice, including inadequate staff funding from the MOH, 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, 1848 expectant mothers have been turned away due to the limited number of midwives.
To address these issues, Hawthorne Midwives has proposed 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 MOH 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.
Salha Aziz, mother of four, including two who were born at home with Hawthorne Midwives, expressed her support: “The resolution from Halton Regional Council is a source of hope for families like mine. More families in the Halton Region will be able to experience the nurturing, wonderful care that Hawthorne Midwives provide.”
Proposed by Halton Regional Councillor Sameera Ali and seconded by Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz, the Resolution Actions include:
The Halton Regional Council encourages 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.
The Regional Chair will write a letter to the Provincial Minister of Health, emphasizing the importance of ensuring adequate provincial allocation of billable courses of care to meet the increasing service demand in Halton.
A copy of the resolution will be sent to Halton’s MPPs, local municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Association of Ontario Midwives.
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About Hawthorne Midwives
Hawthorne Midwives provides comprehensive, person-centred midwifery care to the Halton region. Our team is committed to supporting the health and well-being of women and families through expert prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care.
Media Contact:
Kathryn Hendrick
(416) 277-6281
[email protected]
April 23, 2024
Urgent Expansion of Midwifery Services Required in Milton, Ontario
Executive Summary
Hawthorne Midwives (HM) urgently calls upon your support to address the funding shortfall allocated by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which has resulted in a severe shortage of midwifery services in Milton, Ontario.
Milton is among the fastest-growing areas in Canada, with the highest proportion of females of reproductive age. The demand for midwifery services in Milton has dramatically outpaced our capacity to provide them, leading to 1848 expectant persons denied primary maternal care since we opened our doors in 2018, and 460 pregnant persons being denied our services in 2023 alone.
Despite exponential population growth and a significantly higher pregnancy rate than in neighbouring regions, HM has been constrained by limited billable courses of care (BCCs) and challenges in recruiting a minimum of two New Registered Midwives (NRs), and two experienced midwives (RMs). These real-life situations affect our ability to provide quality care to our community, which includes many young families, new Canadians, and those at high social risk.
A “billable course of care” refers to a complete range of prenatal, labour, delivery, and postpartum care provided to a pregnant woman and billed to the Ontario healthcare system, insurance provider, or directly to the client. This term includes all the professional services a midwife provides throughout the pregnancy, birth, and the initial weeks of postpartum care.
The concept of billing for a course of care rather than individual visits or services emphasizes the continuity of care model central to midwifery practice. This model prioritizes holistic, person-centred care and long-term relationships between midwives and their clients.
HM has reached its capacity with our current allocation of 190 BCCs. Furthermore, recruiting NRs is hindered by competitive disadvantages compared to larger, more established practices. Reportedly, the MInistry of Health has unused caseload available to over-capacity clinics like ours. We urgently need to access this existing resource.
This briefing outlines a call to action by the MOH of the pressing need to increase HM’s BCCs from 190 to 280 and approve hiring two NRs to meet the healthcare needs of our rapidly expanding community.
Current Challenges for Milton Community
Inadequate MOH Funding: The primary challenge is the MOH’s failure to allocate timely and sufficient funding to HM, which stifles our ability to expand BCCs in line with the rapidly escalating demand within the Milton community.
Conservative Estimates by the Transfer Payment Agency (TPA): Working with Unison, the largest TPA in the province, which allocates BCCs to 30 midwifery practices in our region, it is inconceivable that there are no extra BCCs available. If HM had access to the unused case load, we could address our extensive waiting list. Given their scale, there should be flexibility in reallocating unused BCCs to HM, where the demand is acute and urgent.
Staffing Shortages: The risk of burnout among HM staff is high due to the pressure of continuous, full-capacity service provision, compounded by challenges in recruiting two NRs and two RMs.
Proposed Solutions
Immediate Increase in BCC Allocation: We urgently request the MOH to immediately increase HM’s BCCs from 190 to 280 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, allowing us to care for an additional 90 clients, and sourcing this capacity from the unused caseload in the province.
Approval for Hiring More Midwives: We urgently need approval by the MOH to hire two NRs to increase our capacity to address the midwifery care demands and alleviate the 24/7 on-call workload of existing staff.
Rationale
The proposed increase in BCCs and addition of additional midwives are essential steps to:
- Alleviate the risk of burnout among existing Hawthorne midwives.
- Significantly reduce the number of persons denied midwifery services in one of Canada’s most in-need regions.
- Ensure sustainable healthcare services that align with Milton’s growing population’s demographic and healthcare needs.
Your Support Required
- We request your support in advocating to the MOH for an urgent review and increase of HM’s BCC allocation and the swift approval for hiring two NRs and RMs.
- Assistance from the Milton community in supporting young families and people in their child-bearing years to expand HM’s midwifery services to responsibly meet the demand.
- Tap into the unused caseload available for midwifery services in Ontario.
Action Requested
We urgently need your support in requesting the Ministry of Health to increase the BCC allocation and approve two NRs and a minimum of two RM positions. Thank you for your help in addressing this critical health issue for Milton and North West Mississauga families.
Contact: Lynn Hendrick, RM
Hawthorne Midwives Practice Partner
(905) 566-7040
[email protected]
Why The Ontario Ministry of Health Should Increase Staffing and Caseload for Hawthorne Midwives
Population Growth and Characteristics
Milton: The town of Milton has experienced an unprecedented surge in population, catapulting it to one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities. The population, estimated at 168,694 in 2024 (World Population Review), has more than doubled between 2011 and 2024, indicating a staggering growth rate of up to 5.48% annually (World Population Review).
Projections suggest that Milton’s population could reach nearly 230,000 by 2031, effectively doubling its count in the 2011 census. This rapid growth, largely driven by young families moving to the area, underscores the need for immediate action.
Age Distribution: The growth in Milton is significantly represented in key demographic segments:
Children (0-9 years): This population increased by 150% from 2004 to 2021, adding 11,936 residents (Statistics Canada, 2023).
Young Adults (25-34 years): The 25-29 and 30-34 age brackets combined have 16,150 residents (Statistics Canada).
Adults (35-44 years): The combined population of the 35-39 and 40-44 age brackets is 23,790 (Statistics Canada).
Immigration and Cultural Diversity
Milton and Mississauga: These areas have experienced significant increases in immigrant populations, contributing to the diversity and cultural dynamics of the community. Between 2006 and 2011, Milton’s immigrant population grew by 89%, with most new residents coming from South Asian countries like Pakistan, India, and the Philippines. This rich cultural diversity necessitates the provision of healthcare services that are sensitive to the diverse needs and practices of the community.
Language and Cultural Needs: This demographic shift underscores the need for culturally sensitive healthcare services catering to a diverse population. These services should include services offered in multiple languages and respectful of various cultural practices related to childbirth and maternal care.
Social and Economic Factors
Income Levels: In 2021, about 6% of Milton’s population and 10% of Mississauga’s population were considered low-income (Statistics Canada). These community segments often face barriers to accessing healthcare, which midwifery services can significantly alleviate. By providing cost-effective, community-based care, midwifery services can be critical in ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of income level.
Healthcare Accessibility: The rapid growth and diversity in these areas have not been matched by a corresponding increase in healthcare services, especially midwifery, which is known to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes for mothers and infants.
Milton/Northwest Mississauga Healthcare Infrastructure and Services
Current Midwifery Care: Milton, noted for its rapidly increasing population and the highest percentage of reproductive-age females in Canada, saw 460 pregnant persons unable to receive midwifery services from HM in 2023 due to capacity limits. Since 2018, 1848 pregnant persons have been turned away by HM for the same reason.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Midwifery Care
Economic Impact of Midwifery Services 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:
Lower Intervention Rates: Midwifery care tends to have lower intervention rates, including fewer cesarean sections, among the most costly procedures in hospital settings. This can lead to significant cost savings for healthcare systems.
Shorter Hospital Stays: Clients under midwifery care often experience shorter hospital stays, if hospitalization is needed at all. Many midwifery clients also choose to give birth at home or in midwifery-led birthing centers, which further reduces demands on hospital resources.
Fewer Readmissions: Midwifery care’s holistic approach addresses physical health and provides extensive postpartum support, reducing postnatal complications and subsequent re-admissions.
Community and Health System Advantages
Continuity of Care: Midwives provide continuous care to their clients, which enhances health education and trust, leading to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Public Health Impact: By providing community-based care, midwives relieve the pressure on hospital services, allowing these resources to be redirected to acute cases and other necessary medical interventions.
Increased Accessibility: In rapidly growing regions like Northwest Mississauga and Milton, midwifery services can quickly adapt and expand to meet the rising demand, unlike hospitals, which require much larger infrastructural changes and investments.
Conclusion
Expanding midwifery services in Northwest Mississauga and Milton addresses a critical gap in healthcare provision for a growing, diverse population and offers significant economic benefits. By increasing the number of midwives and caseloads, Hawthorne Midwives will contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system, ensuring that 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.
