Funding helps midwives deliver for B.C. families

VANCOUVER - British Columbian families considering the services of a midwife during pregnancy and birth have reason to celebrate as government expands access to midwifery training and services.

Starting in 2012-13, the University of British Columbia's (UBC) midwifery education program will be expanded from the existing 10 first-year spaces to 20 first-year spaces.

The Ministry of Advanced Education worked with UBC and the Ministry of Health to determine the need to double the number of B.C. midwife graduates to help meet the call from families for greater access to services. UBC will receive $1.914 million in one-time funding, and an increase of $833,920 in ongoing operating funding for a phased five-year expansion of the midwifery education program.

In addition, government recently reached a two-year service agreement with the Midwives Association of BC (MABC) that builds on government's Healthy Families BC initiative by expanding access to midwifery care throughout the province.

The two-year service agreement ...