TORONTO - Nurse practitioners and midwives in Ontario will soon have their ranks bolstered after the provincial government made a $24.5-million funding announcement today.
The money will help boost enrolment in the Midwifery Education Program, offered by three universities, to 90 places from 60 by 2008.
Eileen Hutton, assistant dean of the midwifery program at McMaster University, says she welcomes the increase in enrolment since midwives are forced to turn away about 40 per cent of women who come to them.
Health Minister George Smitherman says the Nurse Practitioner Education Program offered at 10 Ontario universities will be expanded by 50 places in fall 2008.
He also says access to midwifery services will be increased with funding for up to 67 new graduates this year.
The funding includes $5 million announced earlier this summer for salary and benefits to support the recruitment and retention of nurse practitioners.
