A little about us

The Northern Maternal Child Network (NMCN) aims to create an integrated system of care and thereby transform the delivery of care, and outcomes, across the maternal and child health continuum of the Northern Region.

Our Mission

To improve health outcomes of the maternal-child population living in Northern Ontario.

OUr Vision

To work collaboratively, as a Northern region and with provincial partners, to build a well-informed,
integrated system of services across the maternal-child continuum.

Identify and understand service gaps, including barriers to underserved populations
Understand and track current patient demand and health services activity to inform priorities and planning
Implement best practices and guidelines
Use data for benchmarking, priority setting, and quality improvement
Provide training and education to providers
Connect local systems in a way that supports coordination in the region
Support local service delivery across settings
Accountability to the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health North
Collaborate closely with regional Networks and align activities with the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health and the Better Outcomes Registry Network
woman carrying baby during daytime

NMCN STRATEGIC PLAN

The NMCN is proud to introduce its first Strategic Plan, a roadmap that outlines our vision and long-term goals. This plan is the product of meaningful collaboration and input from northern partners, NMCN committee members, and patients. It reflects a shared commitment to addressing the unique needs of Northern partners with the ultimate goal to enhancing care for patients and families.

Coming Soon

Our Values

At the Northern Maternal Child Network (NMCN), our work is grounded in a set of core values that guide our decision-making, relationships, and actions. These values reflect our commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality maternal-child health services across Northern Ontario. They serve as the foundation for how we collaborate, lead, and advocate for the communities we serve.

01
Advocacy

We advocate for equitable access to maternal – child health services in Northern Ontario.

02
Engage

We lead the coordination of knowledge translation, engagement, and advocacy of maternal-child health services in Northern Ontario.

03
Inclusion

We ensure inclusion and diversity is incorporated in all aspects of the network.

04
Transparency

We act openly, share information broadly, and in a timely manner.

05
Leadership

We lead the coordination of knowledge translation, engagement, and advocacy of maternal-child health services in Northern Ontario

06
Patient Centered

We keep the patient and family at the centre of all we do.

07
Collaboration

We foster respectful, trusting partnerships with open communication and diverse perspectives to drive innovation, improveoutcomes, and create meaningful impact in maternal-child health services acrossnorthern Ontario.

Organizational Structure

Established in 2021 and funded by the Ministry of Health, the Northern Maternal Child Network (NMCN) has developed an operational structure designed to evolve alongside the network’s growth. Its committees reflect the diversity of the region, with representation from both community and institutional settings, various professional disciplines, and geographic areas spanning northeastern and northwestern Ontario. To further support collaboration and the standardization of care practices, the network has also established Communities of Practice.

values

Advocacy

We advocate for equitable access to maternal – child health services in Northern Ontario.

Engage

We lead the coordination of knowledge translation, engagement, and advocacy of maternal-child health services in Northern Ontario.

Inclusion

We ensure inclusion and diversity is incorporated in all aspects of the network.

Transparency

We act openly, share information broadly, and in a timely manner.

Leadership

We lead the coordination of knowledge translation, engagement, and advocacy of maternal-child health services in Northern Ontario

Patient-Centered

We keep the patient and family at the centre of all we do.

Organizational Structure

The Northern Maternal Child Network (NMCN) is in the early stages of development. In November 2020, Ontario Health submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health to form the NMNC. This proposal was accepted and funding was received in February 2021. The below operational structure will evolve as the network progresses.

The overall composition of the NMCN committees reflects the diversity of the region. Consideration of members includes representation from both community and institutional settings, professional disciplines, and perspectives that represent geographical range including representation from northeastern and northwestern Ontario.

our committes

Steering Committee

Provides leadership and oversight to the strategic directions of the NMCN.
Works closely with provincial and regional entities, including but not limited to, the Ministry of Health, Provincial Council of Maternal and Children’s Health, Ontario Health North, Better Outcomes Registry & Network Ontario, regional networks, and other partners in order to fulfil the NMCN mandate.
Meeting frequency – Monthly

Please see Terms of Reference for additional information:

Additional Information

Maternal-Newborn Committee

A standing committee that provides oversight to the maternal-newborn portfolio of the network.
Identify and advocate for the health needs of the maternal-newborn population in the North.
Collate and disseminate evidence-based practice guidelines and standards to inform the delivery of equitable, high quality maternal and newborn care.
Meeting frequency – Monthly

Please see Terms of Reference for additional information:

Additional Information

Child & Youth Committee

A standing committee that provides oversight to the child and youth portfolio of the network.
Identify and advocate for the health needs of the child and youth population in the North.
Collate and disseminate evidence-based practice guidelines and standards to inform the delivery of equitable, high quality pediatric care.
Meeting frequency – Monthly

Please see Terms of Reference for additional information:

Additional Information

community of practice

Regional Pediatric Community of Practice

Provides a venue for hospital educators that provide pediatric care to network and exchange knowledge.
Identify opportunities for improvement in pediatric care.
Contribute to maintaining high quality standards of pediatric care across the North by sharing resources, adapting new best practice guidelines and supporting the implementation of best practices
Meeting frequency – Monthly

Please see Terms of Reference for additional information:

Additional Information

Regional Perinatal Community of Practice

Provides a venue for hospital educators that provide obstetrical care to network and exchange knowledge.
Identify opportunities for improvement in perinatal and newborn care.
Contribute to maintaining high quality standards of perinatal and newborn care across the North by sharing resources, reviewing new best practice guidelines and supporting the implementation of best practices.
Meeting frequency – Monthly

Please see Terms of Reference for additional information:

Additional Information

Partner
Organizations

The success of the NMCN relies on cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration. We welcome all individuals and organizations to commit to being a network partner. The benefits to becoming a network partner include:

Influence public policy and planning.

Collective advocacy for equitable access to health resources within the North.

Access to a centralized point for information regarding best practice, tools, guidelines, and events.

Share information across organizations and sectors.

Be part of an integrated family-centred network.

Improve health outcomes for our maternal-child populations within the North.

BEING A
MEMBER MEANS



Customize your level of participation.

No cost associated for our maternal-child populations within the North.Commitment to working collaboratively

OUR PARTNERS

See All Partners

Become a partner organization

If you have any questions regarding the NMCN, or would like to join, contact us!

Contact Us