The mediation scheduled to settle the dispute over payments for midwifery services continues between the College of Midwives and the Ministry of Health, but the public is aware of very few details related to the case. Recently, health minister, Jonathan Coleman, was asked about the dispute at an annual meeting. According to the speech notes provided by Coleman’s office, the group was reminded of a more than $2 million backdated pay increase given to lead maternity careers early in 2016, and Coleman also acknowledge the mediation is ongoing.

Both the midwifery group and the Ministry of health recently agreed the current systems of pay and structure are not working and do not reflect modern attitudes toward midwifery. Under the current model, primary maternity care is funded but does not fund midwifery services that are considered secondary or tertiary. According to Coleman, midwifery is central to the national primary maternity service and should be funded and supported under the system.

Despite the ongoing mediation and talks about the dispute, the public knows very little about where the talks are headed and what the end result is going to be. A subsidy increase continues to be the sticking point for both groups. Supporters of midwifery services believe it should be part of the care given during pregnancy, and labor and delivery, while others consider it an additional service that does not need to be part of national coverage. If the issues cannot be settled through the mediation process, it will continue to the courtroom.