Updates: COVID-19
October 15, 2021
Throughout the pandemic the CMM has been committed to sharing information from the government of Manitoba and other relevant sources.
As announced on August 24, 2021, designated workers in Manitoba, including most health care workers, are required to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing in order to work with patients/clients. This Provincial Public Health Order will be implemented effective October 18, 2021 and the CMM recognizes that implementation of this Order may impact midwives and midwifery clients.
The CMM is reminding midwives that they must follow all current Provincial Public Health Orders, including the applicable vaccination or testing requirements. All midwives should inform themselves about employer/workplace policies regarding COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements as well as where and to whom the Provincial Public Health Order applies. Midwives should be prepared to provide clients with information on the applicable policies in place in their workplaces to ensure adequate protections from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on our health system, on Manitoba families and on communities, with racialized and marginalized communities having been disproportionately impacted. The CMM acknowledges that midwives have played an important part in providing safe care to their clients during this challenging time. The CMM is obligated to and remains focused on the primary mandate of public safety. The CMM encourages midwives to continue to support the health, safety, and well-being of their clients and communities through evidence-based information from reliable sources. Midwives have a duty to provide clients with safe care, including protecting them from the risk of infection. Immunization can mitigate the spread and impacts of the virus and complements other public health prevention and protection measures such as handwashing, masking and physical distancing.
As per the Midwifery Regulation, midwives must not practice outside the scope of their employment and must inform the CMM of any change in their employment status.
The College of Midwives is not currently requesting or expecting disclosure of a registered midwife’s COVID-19 status or immunization status to the College.
Please feel free to contact the CMM with questions you may have.
Janice Erickson, RM (Non-Prac.)
Registrar
October 6, 2021
The CMM is committed to sharing information with registrants related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please see the information below on behalf of Manitoba Health.
Manitoba is expanding access to third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, to include health care workers whose roles involve direct contact with patients, residents or clients. Also included are all First Nation health care workers, including Traditional Healers and Knowledge Keepers.
Accessing the third dose is voluntary and does not change or impact an individual’s “fully vaccinated” status. The third dose is however recommended as an additional layer of protection now available to health care workers.
Individuals who have received two doses of the COVID-19 will continue to be considered “fully vaccinated” once 14 days have passed since receiving their second dose.
It is recommended that the third dose be given at least six months after an individual’s second dose, unless other third-dose criteria are met (view criteria).
Health care workers who wish to receive a third dose of the vaccine can receive it at any clinic or site where the COVID vaccine is offered. This includes participating physicians and pharmacies, regional vaccine clinics, and Urban Indigenous Clinics. Information on facility-based or regional occupational health clinics throughout the province will also be shared with health care workers in the coming weeks.
A prescription is NOT required for health care workers to access a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Workplace identification should be presented at the vaccine appointment.
Manitoba is now also allowing the COVID-19 vaccine to be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the Influenza vaccine. This change is consistent with updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on September 28.
Health care workers are encouraged to get your flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect yourself and your patients, residents and clients.
To confirm the date of your second dose visit https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/test-results/ or https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/residents.html#immunization-records.
August 24, 2021
Based on the information that the CMM has received to date, we anticipate practising midwives and student midwives will be included in this Order.
Fully vaccinated individuals are those who have received both doses (any combination) of an approved two dose COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna), OR a single dose of an approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) with more than 14 days having passed since the second dose (or approved sole dose) was received. Acceptable forms of proof will include the Manitoba Immunization Card (digital or physical).
In order to be compliant with this requirement, individuals must receive their first dose by September 7, 2021. To be fully vaccinated by the end of October, individuals must receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine no later than October 17, 2021.
The CMM and other Health Regulators will be meeting with representatives from Shared Health in the near future to get further details.
February 4, 2021
The College of Midwives of Manitoba has committed to sharing relevant information from Shared Health and other relevant sources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shared Health
The following relevant updates have been posted in recent days on the Shared Health COVID-19 website.
- Provincial Guidance on Universal Precautions and Provisions for Obstetrical Care UPDATED https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/covid-19-guidance-for-obstetrics.pdf
- Management of COVID-suspect and COVID-positive obstetrical Patients and their newborn UPDATED https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/covid-19-advice-for-management-of-obstetrical-patients.pdf
January 22, 2021
The College of Midwives of Manitoba has committed to sharing relevant information from Shared Health and other relevant sources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government of Manitoba has recently published guidelines related to COVID-19 vaccination in special populations, including those that are pregnant and breastfeeding. The link below provides access to the guideline and includes information to help frame an informed choice discussion on the issue as well as instructions on completing an enhanced consent form for COVID-19 immunization.
Province of Manitoba | Information for Health Care Professionals
November 2, 2020
The College of Midwives of Manitoba has committed to sharing relevant information from Shared Health and other relevant sources during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Manitoba enters a period of heightened restrictions the following updates have been provided by Shared Health.
Guidance for Primary Care Clinics - which encourages a return to increased use of virtual care as much as possible. As primary care providers, midwives are in the best position to determine what care is best for an individual client at a particular moment in time and must continue to use their professional judgement.
Guidance on Home Visits- provides guidance on screening and PPE use for planned home visits.
Midwives should continue to monitor and follow the Shared Health COVID-19 website for providers for the latest updates.
July 3, 2020
As Manitoba continues to proceed with re-opening non-essential health care services the following updates have been provided by Shared Health. Updates to the Provincial Guidance on Universal Precautions and Provisions for Obstetrical Care include:
- Updates recognizing that a reduced visit schedule may not always be indicated, and that at times when the burden of disease is low it may be advisable to return to pre-pandemic visit schedules where possible...
May 7, 2020
COVID-19: Provincial Guidance on Obstetrical Care
Shared Health has published a Provincial Guidance on Universal Precautions and Provisions for Obstetrical Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic which provides guidance on the following areas:
Read more
April 27, 2020
COVID-19: GDM Testing - Ordering HgA1c
This notice is to confirm that Midwives in Manitoba are authorized to order Hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c) as an alternative to usual screening for Gestational Diabetes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more
April 20, 2020
COVID-19: Information for Midwifery Clients
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way care is being provided by midwives, and the College would like to assure you that we will continue to ensure that your safety is prioritized.
We understand that this is a stressful time for everyone and may be particularly stressful for those who are pregnant or caring for a newborn. We have provided frequently asked questions below to help answer some of your questions.
Read more
April 15, 2020
Election Postponement and Other Updates
Almost 4 weeks have passed since the Manitoba government declared a state of emergency. The CMM staff would like to acknowledge the work our members do in continuing to provide quality maternal-newborn care in increasingly challenging circumstances.
While the CMM has focused its activities during these past weeks largely on items related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CMM Council and Committees have made the decision to postpone the following activities.
Read more
April 14, 2020
Building Closure
Effective April 10, 2020, the building in which the CMM office is located will be closed to the public until further notice.
April 6, 2020
Emergency Registration
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Midwifery Act, the Board of Assessors of the College of Midwives of Manitoba has made Emergency Registration available to Non-practising registrants and Practising midwives in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Policy on Emergency Registration
Emergency Return to Practising
Application for Emergency Registration
April 6, 2020
The College of Midwives of Manitoba has committed to sharing relevant information from Shared Health and other relevant sources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more from Shared Health and the Canadian Association of Midwives and National Aboriginal Council of Midwives.
March 24, 2020
06 COVID-19 Home Visit Guidance
On March 24th Shared Health published an updated Guidance and Screening Tool for Home Visits that may be helpful for midwifery practice.
Read more
March 22, 2020
05 COVID-19 Non-essential services
The College of Midwives of Manitoba received notice from Shared Health on March 22, 2020 to advise that all non-essential and elective health services in Manitoba should be ceased or reduced to minimal levels.
Read more
March 16, 2020
04 COVID-19 Clinical Resources and Practice Standards
Clinical Resources
The most important resource for health practitioners in Manitoba is the Shared Health Provincial Coronavirus Resources page, which offers guidance to health professionals on COVID-19 and is updated on an ongoing basis.
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March 16, 2020
03 Office Updates
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to limit the threat of community spread, the College of Midwives of Manitoba will be temporarily operating a semi-virtual office as of March 17, 2020, until further notice.
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March 12, 2020
02 COVID-19 Update
Sent on Behalf of Dr. Roussin, Chief Provincial Public Health Officer and Lanette Siragusa, Provincial Lead, Health System Integration & Quality and Chief Nursing Officer: COVID-19 Update – March 11, 2020
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March 10, 2020
01 COVID-19 Notice
The College of Midwives of Manitoba is cooperating with Manitoba Health/Shared Health Services in communicating information regarding COVID-19 to Midwives in Manitoba.
Read more