Photo of a baby
As the largest obstetrics program in Southeastern Ontario, KHSC provides care to women and babies from all across our region including First Nations communities.
Credit
Matthew Manor

Everyone should have equitable access to safe, high quality maternal and newborn care closer to home especially for those living in rural, remote and isolated communities. In First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, access to high quality health care can improve maternal and newborn care by ensuring it is culturally safe. As the largest obstetrics program in Southeastern Ontario, KHSC provides care to women and babies from all across our region including First Nations communities.

The Women & Children’s program adheres to quality standards to ensure KHSC delivers quality every day, every way in obstetrics. The patient's spiritual needs and preferences are seen as integral to the care and healing process, and are discussed when making care decisions. Each patient's physical, psychosocial, and spiritual health is assessed and documented using a holistic approach, in partnership with the patient and family.

“Cultural and spiritual beliefs and needs are an important part of the journey and we are pleased to work collaboratively with our Indigenous partners through our Indigenous working group,” says Marcia McFarlane, Program Manager of the Women & Children’s Program. “Specifically, we are working on a recognition and commitment statement, providing cultural sensitivity learning modules assigned to front line staff, and recruiting for Indigenous representation for our OB/GYN Program Council.

“We are also grateful that Indigenous Midwives are included as a team member of the circle of care for obstetrical patients at KHSC. Indigenous Midwives are an integral part of supportive care and a key link to community transitions for this population. We also support cultural requests such as smudging in labour, and providing placenta post-delivery when asked. The Mamawi Room is also available for Indigenous patients and family members.”

Providing safe maternal and newborn care is another example of how together, we are building a culture of quality at KHSC, an environment where everyone genuinely cares about improving the experience of patients, families and staff alike.

In May 2019, the World Health Organization established September 17 as World Patient Safety Day to enhance global understanding of patient safety, increase public engagement in the safety of healthcare and promote global actions to enhance patient safety and reduce harm.

To learn more about KHSC Obstetrics Program click here https://kingstonhsc.ca/obstetrical-care.