Revised Consultation, Referral, and Transfer of Care practice standard

On Oct. 15, 2025, the BCCNM board approved a revised Consultation, Referral, and Transfer of Care practice standard for midwives and corresponding revisions to the midwives' Standards of Practice. This standard replaces Indications for Discussion, Consultation, and Transfer of Care. These changes take effect Dec. 1, 2025.

• Review the revised (not yet in effect) Consultation, Referral and Transfer of Care practice standard
• Review the revised (not yet in effect) Standards of Practice 

Rationale​

The Indications for Discussion, Consultation, and Transfer of Care was established in 1997 by the legacy College of Midwives of British Columbia. This standard includes a non-exhaustive list of clinical conditions and circumstances that warrant discussion, consultation, or transfer of care to a family physician, obstetrician, pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or other specialist.

System partners, staff, and registrants identified potential risks associated with the Indications for Discussion, Consultation, and Transfer of Care, such as incomplete and outdated clinical content. Following a review, these concerns were validated, and it was determined this standard was also in misalignment with BCCNM's right-touch approach to regulation. In response, BCCNM created a new Consultation, Referral, and Transfer of Care practice standard to address the risks of consulting, referring, and transferring care as well as reflect current practice. Corresponding revisions were made to the midwives' Standards of Practice to support this new standard.

Questio​ns?

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