The Inquiry Committee (the “Committee”) of the College of Midwives of British Columbia (the “College”) has conducted an investigation into the professional practice of Ms. Nicole Séguin RM, pursuant to Section 33 of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183.
The Committee and Ms. Séguin have agreed to resolve all matters outstanding between them
arising from the investigation pursuant to Section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, and Bylaw 63 as set out below:
Ms. Séguin hereby undertakes to:
consent to a reprimand for breach of interim conditions under Section 35 of the Health Professions Act placed on her practice on March 17, 2010, requiring her to do bi-weekly formal chart review with her principal supervisor of all clients to whom she provided care;
only provide care at a practice with her approved supervisors;
take an approved communication course and documentation course as per the Consent Agreement of September 28, 2010 as soon as possible and no later than the fall of 2011;
complete the BC Antenatal forms for each client, in particular recording the date of each visit, and on each visit, taking and documenting the blood pressure, maternal weight, fundal height, fetal heart rate and the results of urine testing, or, if any of these are not assessed, documenting the reason. Fetal movement and presentation and position are also to be consistently assessed and documented commencing at the appropriate stage of the pregnancy, and if not assessed, the reason for this must be documented;
maintain a system for tracking and following up on screening and diagnostic testing with her clients;
adopt a practice of consistently scheduling the next visit with each client before they leave a prenatal visit;
ensure that she has a designated back up midwife available;
create an information sheet on how clients can contact her that also includes the contact information for her backup for situations where she cannot be reached and provide this information sheet to all of her clients and provide a copy to College within two months of signing this agreement. This information sheet should indicate that clients who are not
able to contact Ms. Seguin in a timely way can call her backup midwife. Ms. Seguin also agrees to return client call in a timely manner appropriate to the urgency of the concern, bearing in mind that midwives are to be available to their clients on a 24 hour per day basis, and to document in the client chart when she has spoken to the client, or alternatively, left a message, or that she returned the call and any reason why a message could not be left.
contact all clients who notify her that they are terminating care and offer to speak with them and hear their concerns;
treat clients in a culturally appropriate manner, acknowledging clients’ choices and incorporating them into their plans of care in a way that is consistent with the Philosophy of Care section 3 which states: Midwifery is holistic by nature, combining an understanding of the social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, psychological and physical ramifications of a woman’s reproductive health experience; and
- consent to a reprimand for breaching the Code of Ethics 3.5 and 3.8 and Standards of Practice #6, #10 and #12.