Regular meetings of the College Council are held virtually via Teams. The next meeting will be April 18, 2024 at 9:45 am.

Please contact the office one week prior to the date of the meeting for more information if you wish to attend. 

Council Meeting Minutes

- January 2024

In a public announcement from Alberta Health, continuous masking for health care providers who have client contact is no longer required in AHS facilities. This is welcome news by many.

The CMA confirms that all registered midwives do not have to wear masks continuously in AHS facilities, AHS settings or in community settings. Community settings include: client homes, birth suites and birth centers. 

Administrative Controls and Routine Practices will be occurring today and in the foreseeable future because of what we have learned from COVID-19. Continue to follow the infection prevention and control requirements that should be included in midwifery clinic policies and procedures.

It is the expectation of the CMA that as a self-regulating profession, these guidelines will be followed.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30, 2022

                                                                                                                     

In honor of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2022, the CMA wishes to acknowledge the areas of the TRC that pertain to regulatory colleges.

The National Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, most notably actions #22 to #24 which read:

22. We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.
23. We call upon all levels of government to: i. Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health-care field. ii. Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities. iii. Provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals.
24. We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

As a member of the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium (CMRC), over the last year, the CMA has been involved in creating a national statement and a new set of Entry-to-Practice Competencies for midwives in Canada. Please see the following:


Ending Anti-Indigenous Racism

Anti-Indigenous racism in the Canadian health care system has existed since its inception. CMRC acknowledges that systemic racism and discrimination towards Indigenous peoples adversely impact Indigenous peoples’ access to, and treatment in, health services. CMRC believes that anti-Indigenous racism is unacceptable in our society and joins other health care regulators and networks in condemning racist attitudes and behaviors among health care professionals, and in denouncing systemic racism within health care institutions, structures and policies.

Midwives have a responsibility to address racism and bias at the individual and system levels. Midwives are expected to provide culturally safe care and embrace cultural humility, and are called upon to identify and address power imbalances in the health care system. Adopting reflective practice allows midwives to understand personal and systemic biases and acknowledge the experience of others.

CMRC supports the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and in particular the Calls to Action relating to health and to the Canadian health care system. We recognize the importance of the Calls to Action and support their intention to redress the legacy of colonization and the residential school system, and advance the process of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

CMRC expects the Canadian Competencies for Midwives will support the midwifery profession in playing a key role in addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health care. Each of us has a responsibility to take positive action.

Midwives are expected to provide culturally safe care and embrace cultural humility, and are called upon to identify and address power imbalances in the health care system.

The CMA Council is also a member of NACM and encourages all readers to do the same.

Respectfully,
College of Midwives of Alberta

September 15/22 AHS Notification: Former Clients of the Midwifery Practice known as Calgary Midwives Collective

The College of Midwives (CMA) is aware of an AHS public health advisory announcement regarding a potential risk related to sterilization of medical equipment at the above clinic.

CMA is working collaboratively with AHS to ensure that a thorough review of this matter is completed.

CMA also has its own investigation underway after a complaint was lodged with the college regarding this matter.

As Primary Care Providers, Registered Midwives have the safety of their clients as a priority. The CMA enforces Standards of Practice regarding public safety including infection prevention and control following public health guidelines. CMA can assure the public, and midwifery clients that Registered Midwives have education and training in Infection Prevention and Control Practices. In addition, there are many continuing education opportunities available for midwives to utilize.

Any exposures or risk of Hep B for clients attending midwifery clinics in Alberta is a serious concern for CMA. While the risk to clients is considered very low in this case, AHS, out of an abundance of caution, is conducting a “look back” process for this clinic’s midwifery clients. In addition, a review of medical device processes within midwifery practices is underway across the province from a legislative and contract point of view.

CMA is open to receiving any communication regarding this matter. Please forward any comments, questions, or concerns to the CMA Registrar either by email: registrar@albertamidwives.org  or by phone: (403) 452-0571.

CMA Council and Staff

Thank you for joining the Annual General Meeting of the College of Midwives of Alberta on May 26, 2022.

The CMA congratulates Kayla Blinkhorn (Registered Midwife) and Marianne King (Registered Midwife) for their reappointment as CMA's Council Members and welcomes Joy Maxwell (Registered Midwife) and Melanie Bekevich (Public Member) as CMA's new Council Members.

Copies of the Annual Report and Financial statements are available on the resources section of the website.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 

Please be advised that the College of Midwives of Alberta (“CMA”) has become aware of individuals in the areas of Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Lloydminster advertising and providing services as a “traditional midwife” or “birth attendant” and engaging labour management and delivery when they are not permitted to do so.

Please be aware that only midwives registered with the CMA are entitled to use the title “midwife” and manage labour or deliver a baby. Midwives registered with the CMA have undergone specialized education, passed required examinations, and completed a period of supervised midwifery practice to ensure they have the required competencies. These Registered Midwives provide safe, competent, ethical, compassionate and evidence-informed care to diverse populations in both in hospital and community settings – all funded by Alberta Health. 

While you may retain a doula or birth attendant to be present during the birth of your child, these individuals are not permitted to manage labour or deliver the baby.

A good tip when hiring a person to assist in the delivery of your child is to ask for their CMA registration number and contact the CMA to confirm they are a registered member. If you are unsure about whether the individual you have retained to assist in your birth is a registered midwife or have questions as to what registered midwives versus other birth attendants are permitted to do, please contact the CMA, we would be happy to assist you.

Similarly, if you have information regarding an individual who is purporting to act as a midwife without being registered with the CMA or you have concerns regarding an individual’s credentials, we encourage you to contact the CMA.

College of Midwives of Alberta
Phone: (403) 474-3999
Email: info@albertamidwives.org / registrar@albertamidwives.org