Two Midwives Fail To Follow Correct Procedures During Labour, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Medical Malpractice / Litigation
Article Date: 14 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Two midwives have been found unfit to practise by an independent NMC panel this week after failing to adequately care for a 'high risk' patient during labour.

Jonathan Davies, 45, a registered midwife and nurse, was struck off the Register and his colleague at the time, Sandra Bickers, 46, also a registered midwife and nurse, received the maximum caution of five years.

The panel found that Mr Davies, who did not attend the hearing, had failed to monitor the baby's heart properly and had not kept proper patient records.

The NMC's Conduct and Competence Committee panel decided that both Mr Davies and Mrs Bickers were guilty of misconduct and that they had breached the NMC's Code of Professional Conduct.

In removing Mr Davies from the Register, the panel heard that he did express regret but has not accepted that he did anything seriously wrong.

In cautioning Mrs Bickers, the panel found that she had also failed to monitor the baby's heart properly and had not provided adequate records of the labour. She had also failed to communicate with and seek the help of more senior colleagues and made inappropriate and unprofessional comments to, or in the hearing of the patient.

The panel accepted that Mrs Bickers had developed good insight into the nature of her mistake and the impact it can have on those in her care. It also took into account her 19 years experience as a midwife.

Commenting on the panel's decision, NMC spokesperson, Colin Joseph, said, "There were some serious errors of professional judgement in this case which has led to Mr Davies being struck off and Mrs Bickers being cautioned.

Both sanctions were thought to be suitable in order to protect the public and to maintain public confidence in the profession.

The NMC's Code of professional conduct is there to sets standards for conduct, performance and ethics. Any breaches of the Code are taken very seriously by the NMC which aims to protect the health and wellbeing of the public by continually regulating, reviewing and promoting nursing and midwifery standards."

Notes

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, nursing and midwifery. The primary purpose of the NMC is protection of the public. It does this through maintaining a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practise within the UK and by setting standards for their education, training and conduct. Currently the number of registrants exceeds 686,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

The independent panel is selected from a pool of individuals appointed by the Appointments Board. They come from a variety of backgrounds and are not NMC Council members, nor do they sit on any committee of the Council.

Nursing and Midwifery Council