Dear Clients & Families of Midwives of Brampton & Halton Hills,

As you are aware the Ontario Government chose not to renew the mask mandate for all healthcare facilities. Despite this decision the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and this decision does not mean that prevention and control interventions for COVID-19 are no longer necessary. While hospital and ICU admissions are declining, Public Health Ontario has reported an average of 1000 new infections per day and has cautioned that “due to changes in the Ministry of Health’s updated guidance on testing and case, contact and outbreak management, counts are an underestimate of the true number of cases and outbreaks with COVID-19 in Ontario”.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has stated that organizations may implement their own policies and individuals may continue to wear masks in any setting if it feels right to them. Some factors which will influence masking policies at healthcare facilities include transmission risks in different communities, risks of severe COVID-19 illness in the population served, and the toll already taken on health and human resources which may be impacted by relaxing infection prevention and control measures.

Taking into consideration all the above factors Midwives of Brampton & Halton Hills has made the decision to continue its universal masking policy in all client-midwife interactions in our clinic and in the home setting. We have made this decision for the following reasons:

– Pregnancy is a risk factor for more severe disease requiring hospitalization.

– The evidence continues to support the use of face masks results in a significant reduction in risk of infection.

– Our midwifery resources are limited, we provide 24/7 care to clients in a multitude of settings. Midwives under investigation for COVID-19 or who test positive are unable to provide midwifery care for a period of time and this can severely limit our ability to provide care to our clients. Reduction in our midwifery resources could result in limitations on choice of birthplace and/or the need to transfer care to another care provider.

– Williams Osler Health System (Brampton Civic Hospital) has made the decision to continue its mandatory masking policy beyond June 11, 2022, for staff, patients, and visitors.

This decision means that all previous masking expectations will remain in place. As a reminder we ask that:

– All clients and support people wear a medical grade mask during all in person clinic appointments. If you do not have access to a mask, one will be provided to you in the clinic.

– During home visits we ask that anyone present during the visit wear a mask (including anyone who might be answering the door).

– During Home Births any support people continue to mask in any spaces while the midwife is present. We continue to advise clients to mask during labour as tolerated while the midwife is present in the room, while understanding that this may not be possible for the duration of labour.

Your midwives will continue to mask with an appropriate level of mask for all in person interactions.

All other infection control and prevention measures continue. Including COVID screening prior to any in person visits.

Please remember that if you or anyone in your household develops symptoms or tests positive, do NOT come to clinic. Please notify your midwives by calling or e-mailing. You will never be denied necessary midwifery care as a result of having COVID-19, but it is essential that your midwives are informed, such that we can plan your ongoing care and protect other clients by using appropriate precautions

We appreciate your continued support and understanding during this time. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information in this communication, please feel free to discuss with your midwives at your next appointment.

Sincerely,

Midwives of Brampton & Halton Hills