The BCCNM board on Feb. 26, 2026, approved a new
Privacy and Confidentiality practice standard for midwives, which will take effect April 1, 2026.
This new standalone standard brings together BCCNM's expectations for protecting client privacy and confidentiality into one clear, accessible document, previously found in several policies and standards. The new standard replaces this fragmented approach and provides clear, principle‑based expectations that support safe, ethical midwifery care.
- Why this change was made
Under the
Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), regulatory boards are required to establish practice standards related to client confidentiality. In preparation for the HPOA, BCCNM reviewed existing midwifery standards and identified gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities to improve clarity.
The new
Privacy and Confidentiality practice standard:
Clarifies expectations for collecting, using, and safeguarding personal health information
Reflects modern practice and current legal requirements
Aligns with right‑touch regulation principles
Harmonizes expectations across nursing and midwifery professions
The standard is aligned with the
Privacy and Confidentiality practice standard for nurses that was approved by the Board in June 2025.
- Consultation and engagement
BCCNM developed the new standard through extensive consultation with internal and external partners, including registered midwives, midwifery leaders, professional associations, educators, health authorities, and the Indigenous Midwives Advisory Council. Feedback strongly supported a single, high‑level standard that is practical, clear, and adaptable to diverse practice settings.
- Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism
The new standard will be applied alongside the
Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti‑Racism practice standard. Together, these standards support respectful, culturally safe care while reinforcing the importance of protecting client privacy and confidentiality for Indigenous clients and their families.
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