Midwives and Interprofessional Primary Care Teams (IPCTs)

The Ontario government has committed to invest $3.4 billion to connect every person in Ontario to primary care by 2029 through Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan (PCAP). The plan, led by Dr. Jane Philpott and the Primary Care Action Team, aims to rebuild the primary care system to become comprehensive, convenient, and connected for every Ontarian.

An important part of the Primary Care Action Plan includes opportunities and funding dedicated for midwives in Interprofessional Primary Care Teams (IPCTs).

2027-28 call for IPCT proposals 

The call for IPCTs launched in September 2026, with programs ready to launch in Spring 2027.

Deadline to submit applications is November 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Learn more about the Interprofessional Primary Care Team (IPCT) call for proposals process including eligibility, application criteria and what to expect if you’re successful.

Eligibility and criteria for success

Midwives submitting proposals for the upcoming call should consider the following:

  • Midwives cannot submit a proposal alone! Eligibility for IPCT funding requires a team-based model. Proposals can be submitted to create or expand one of the following IPCT:
    • Family Health Team (FHTs)
    • Community Health Centre (CHCs)
    • Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (NPLCs)
    • Indigenous Primary Health Care Organization (IPHCOs)
  • Funding is contingent on increasing client attachment and access to primary care
  • Prioritize demonstrating how your proposal aligns with the following four priorities:
    • Primary Care Attachment, especially in communities with high rates of unattachment
    • Will be ready to implement in Spring 2027
    • Supporting geographic coverage of the OHT
    • Meeting primary care objectives for Ontarians to have connected, convenient, inclusive and responsive primary care

Examples of midwives working in interprofessional models

Midwives are already collaborators in improving access to primary care through integrated midwifery services across Ontario, including through Indigenous Midwifery Programs and Expanded Midwifery Care Models (EMCMs).

As leaders in primary reproductive, sexual, perinatal, and newborn care, midwives can continue to play a vital role in providing excellent clinical care in a community setting within IPCTs. Midwives can contribute alongside nurse-practitioners, physicians, and allied health to complement holistic primary health care.

Midwives may bring expertise to IPCT in some of the following areas:

  • Pregnancy, labour and birth, and postpartum care
  • Unplanned pregnancy, abortion and first trimester loss and bereavement care
  • Care navigation for underserved communities such as those who are uninsured, un/under-housed, or identify as 2SLGBTQI+
  • Services grounded in cultural practices and tailored according to community needs for First Nation, Inuit, Metis, and Indigenous clients
  • STI screening and treatment
  • Contraception counselling and prescribing 
  • Menstrual health
  • Menopause care
  • Cervical cancer screening
  • Well baby care and immunizations
  • Gender affirming care
  • Phototherapy
  • Chest/breastfeeding and lactation services
  • POCUS (Point of care ultrasound) 
  • Health promotion and education

Resources