Bernadette MacDonald, coordinator for the Tri County Women’s Centre, says they already have 120 names on the list without having publicized it.
The centre hopes the support will help to establish midwife service in the area.
“We felt that it was certainly in keeping with our mandate and philosophy that we advocate for this to be one of the pilot sites,” said MacDonald.
She described the present level of service for pregnant women as lacking.
“The current situation is that a pregnant woman no longer sees her family doctor unless that doctor is on rotation at the pre-natal clinic.
“At the clinic she will possibly see a different doctor at every visit and she doesn’t know which doctor will be attending when she gives birth,” she said.
The Tri-County Women’s Centre has written a letter to the South West Health Authority presenting the petition to date and requesting that midwifery services be established.
The centre hopes to work with the authority towards the piloting of midwife services in the region.
“If there is anything else we can do, besides having a petition circulated, we would appreciate being asked. We look forward to working with them on this important initiative,” said MacDonald.
Name will be gathered for the petition throughout April. Supporters can drop into the Tri County Women’s Centre at 238A Main St. to sign, or/and pick up a petition to gather other signatures. People can also sign online at:
www.ipetitions.com:80
by Carla Allen/The Vanguard 
