Sask. midwives will soon be allowed to prescribe, administer number of drugs [Video]

Saskatchewan midwives will soon be able to prescribe and administer certain drugs, order x-rays and conduct newborn hearing screenings.

Midwives are provincially licenced and registered health care professionals who offer primary care to low-risk clients during pregnancy, birth and for six weeks postpartum. Their services are funded through the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

On Monday, the province announced plans to amend the midwife regulations to expand their scope of practice.

“Providing women with choice in their reproductive health is important and strengthening the role of midwives helps ensure women can make those choices with confidence,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Office Laura Ross said in a news release.

“Ensuring midwives can provide more fulsome care for women means greater access for those in communities across the province.”

According to the province, the regulatory change will allow midwives to prescribe from a category of drugs, rather than from a specific …