The Saskatchewan College of Midwives has been established to protect the public by ensuring safe, accountable midwifery in Saskatchewan. The adoption of a code of ethics is one way of achieving that goal.
The observance of ethical standards increases respect and trust for midwifery, by both current and future practitioners as well as the community served.
Midwives shall practice midwifery in accordance with The Midwifery Act, regulations pursuant to The Midwifery Act, and The Midwifery Regulatory Bylaws of the Saskatchewan College of Midwives and other relevant laws and regulations.
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General Responsibilities
1) Respect birth as a normal life process.
2) Maintain current competency in their midwifery practice.
3) Act in a manner that enhances the reputation of the profession.
Responsibilities to the Client
4) Provide midwifery care without discriminating on the basis of the prohibitions set out in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
5) Respect a client’s right to informed choice.
6) Inform their clients of the scope of midwifery practice and any limitations to the individual midwife’s scope of practice.
7) Not abandon care of a client in labour or in an emergency, but make all reasonable efforts not to be in a situation requiring deviation from accepted standards of care.
8) Actively promote equal access to health care that meets the needs of childbearing clients.
Informed Decision Making
9) Support the right of clients/families to participate actively in decisions about their care and respect clients’ right to informed choice, acknowledging their individual needs, values and dignity.
10) Openly acknowledge to clients and other health care practitioners any contentious objection or conflict of interest, which may affect a clients’ right to informed choice or access to care.
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Confidentiality
11) Maintain client privacy and confidentiality subject to health privacy legislation as it relates to midwifery and so inform the client.
12) Establish and uphold professional boundaries in the context of social and digital media.
Responsibilities to the College, The Profession, and to Oneself
13) Maintain their own well-being and remain fit to practice.
14) Interact professionally, collaboratively, respectfully and honestly with the people with whom they work and practice.
15) Make known to the appropriate person or authority the practice of a colleague that appears not to maintain standards of practice in their profession.
16) Provide the best possible care within the midwifery scope of practice in all circumstances. When a midwife is unable to provide care, the midwife shall make all reasonable attempts to find alternative care for the client.
Financial and Personal Gain
17) Not accept any gift, favour or hospitality for a professional endorsement of a commercial product for participation as a registrant at continuing education events.
18) Not accept any gift, favour or hospitality from a client that could be interpreted as an inducement to provide preferential treatment to them.