New Midwife Access Targets and Reports

Summary#

• This bill updates Nova Scotia’s Midwifery Act to set clear goals for access to midwife care and to increase public reporting.
• It says the government, working through the Nova Scotia Health Authority, aims to make midwives available to anyone who asks and to reach a staffing target of one midwife for every 14,000 residents in each health management zone (the regions used by the health system).
• It also requires yearly public reports on how many midwives are in the province and how many clients of midwives gave birth, with comparisons to other provinces and to OECD countries (a group of mostly high‑income countries).
• The Minister of Health and Wellness may set, by regulation, a timeline for the Health Authority to meet these goals.

Key changes and impacts:

• Sets a province-wide access objective and a staffing ratio: 1 midwife per 14,000 residents in every health zone.
• Requires an annual public report on midwife numbers (including non‑practising) and on the number of clients of midwives who gave birth.
• Adds comparisons to other provinces and OECD countries in the yearly report.
• Lets the Minister make regulations to set a timeline for achieving the access and staffing goals.
• Expands who can make certain regulations under the Act to include the Minister.

What it means for you#

• Expectant parents

  • More chance to get care from a midwife if you want it.
  • Potential for shorter wait times and less travel if midwives are added in your region.
  • Clear, yearly information on availability to help plan your care.

• Residents in different regions

  • The 1‑per‑14,000 target aims to spread midwives more evenly across management zones, not just in major cities.
  • You may see new or expanded midwifery services in under-served areas if the target is pursued.

• Midwives and students

  • Likely more hiring and placement opportunities as the Health Authority works toward the staffing goal.
  • Public data on workforce size and births attended may guide recruitment and planning.

• Health system and providers

  • The Health Authority may need to adjust staffing plans and services to meet the target and any timeline set by the Minister.
  • Yearly reporting increases transparency about supply, demand, and outcomes.

• Taxpayers

  • The bill sets goals and reporting. Any costs would come from future decisions to recruit and place more midwives and to support reporting.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Sets a clear, measurable goal so people who want midwifery care can get it, wherever they live.
• Helps reduce strain on hospitals and doctors by expanding a proven model of maternity care.
• Improves fairness by aiming for coverage in all health zones, not only in urban centres.
• Yearly public reporting and comparisons increase transparency and accountability.
• Allowing the Minister to set a timeline turns goals into action and keeps the Health Authority on track.

Opponents' View#

• The 1‑per‑14,000 target may be hard to reach due to limited workforce and recruitment challenges.
• Could require significant new spending to hire, place, and support more midwives, with costs not yet known.
• A single population ratio may not match local needs; some areas may need more or fewer midwives based on birth rates and geography.
• Comparing to other provinces and OECD countries may be misleading because systems differ, and reporting adds administrative work.
• Letting the Minister set timelines could centralize decisions and reduce flexibility for the Health Authority and the professional regulator.