Maternity Care for New Immigrants

Comprehensive maternity care for women who do not yet have provincial Medical Service Plan (MSP) Coverage.
About

​​​​​​​​​New Beginnings Maternity Clinic

The goal of the New Beginnings Maternity Clinic is to provide comprehensive maternity care for women who do not yet have Provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage, have significant financial hardship, and who meet the eligibility criteria as determined by BC Women's Hospital.

You may qualify to receive services if:

  • You are a government-assisted refugee and cannot access services in your community
  • You are a privately sponsored refugee OR have applied for refugee status AND can demonstrate financial hardship
  • You are in the process of spousal sponsorship and awaiting MSP coverage AND can demonstrate financial hardship
  • Other special circumstances as determined by BC Women's Hospital AND can demonstrate financial hardship

You will not be eligible for care if:

  • You are in Canada on a student work visa or a visitor visa
  • You are in Canada on a worship visa
  • You are in Canada on a work permit visa
  • You are a landed immigrant within the 90 day waiting period for MSP coverage and cannot provide evidence of financial hardship​
How to apply
  1. Please read the first page of the application form as it has important information
  2. Complete the 3 page application in full and mail, FAX or deliver in person to the New Beginnings Maternity Clinic. Please come to the clinic in person if you need us to print the application for you or you need help filling in the forms. There may be a wait if the clinic is busy
  3. The New Beginnings Maternity Clinic Team will review your application and determine if you are eligible to apply based on our criteria and space available in the clinic
  4. You will receive a letter by mail notifying you that you are eligible to continue the application process OR that you have been declined. If you are eligible to continue with the application process you will be asked for documents to support your application
  5. When you have received a letter that you are being considered for a spot in the clinic, you will be asked to FAX or hand-deliver the following documents:
    • Proof of earnings (i.e. pay stubs), for you and your partner, for all jobs held in Canada or your home country for the past 6 months
    • Rent receipt or property tax statement, or notice of property assessment
    • Bank account records for all accounts held by you and your partner, in Canada and your home country for the past 6 months
    • Credit card statements for all credit cards held by you and your partner for the past 6 months
    • Revenue Canada notice of assessment for past tax year (if you worked in Canada)
    • Passport ID page and attached visas (if you are not Canadian)
    • Landing papers or permanent resident card
    • CIC client ID # and printed application status (for all spousal sponsorship applications)
    • Marriage certificate (for all spousal sponsorship applications)
  6. When we receive the complete application, the New Beginnings Maternity Clinic team reviews it and makes a final decision. You will receive notification of our final decision by phone or mail. If your application is declined at any stage of the application process, the decision is not negotiable.

    Processing times can vary and may take several weeks. Please seek alternate medical care while you wait for us to process your application. Please let us know if you need assistance finding a care provider (doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner) while you wait.

    To ensure the shortest wait time, please complete the application form in full and send all requested documents.

    Incomplete applications will NOT be processed.

Our team

You will meet the following health care professionals in the New Beginnings Maternity Clinic:

  • Registration & scheduling clerk - qualified nursing unit clerk
  • Nurse practitioner - advanced practice nurse who can write prescriptions and provide health care including diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses for people at any age
  • Obstetrical residents - medical doctors training to become obstetricians. These doctors work under the supervision of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Social worker - qualified and specializing in supporting needs of families
  • Clinical students - clerks, nurses, doctors
  • Research staff - approved by WHRI and/or BCCHR
  • Program head: Dr Julianne Van Schalkwyk​
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