Midwife gives evidence against 'disinterested' doctor

The doctor is facing a charge of professional misconduct over the Caesarean section. Photo / iStock

Among the 100 or so Caesarean section births an experienced midwife has attended, one stands out.

"It is the only one where I have had concerns my patient's needs were not being met by a member of the professional team," Rosemary Johnson said.

She was giving evidence at a Health Practitioners Disciplinary Hearing in Wellington today where a doctor, who has name suppression, is charged with professional misconduct over the Caesarean.

He was the anesthetist and it was his role to deliver pain relief at the procedure in February 2013.

Ms Johnson remembered the mother's left leg moving during the operation and that the surgeon had some difficulty in delivering the baby.

As the mother was stitched up afterwards, she was upset.

Ms Johnson said that was unusual as mothers were normally relaxed and delighted with their new arrival.

"She appeared to be in pain and unable to focus on her baby...Normally the anaesthetist pays close attention to his patient to ensure their comfort.

"My overriding impression of [the doctor] was that he was disinterested in [the mother's] obvious discomfort.

"The mother's lips were turning blue and her blood pressure dropped, so Ms Johnson asked the doctor for pain relief, something she said she'd never had to do before.

The doctor said the blood pressure was fine.

"I distinctly recall him looking at me, shrugging his shoulders and saying, 'it will be over soon", Ms Johnson said.

"I was incredulous that he did not come over to [the mother] and ask her how she was and ensure that she was comfortable."

The mother later told Ms Johnson she'd been in pain throughout.

Ms Johnson denied when questioned by the doctor's lawyer Harry Waalkens, QC, that she was over-stating her concerns about the doctor and that they only came afterwards.

Mr Waalkens suggested it was hard to believe Ms Johnson would not have acted more forcefully in trying to get the doctor to administer more pain relief.

Ms Johnson said she felt like there was nothing else she could do, but now she would insist the doctor act.

Earlier the surgeon, whose name is also suppressed, said at one stage the doctor moved away from his normal bedside position.

"[The doctor] appeared disinterested. He was slouched in his chair still sitting next to the door. I was reassured by him that [the mother] was 'fine and feeling pressure'."

She said she'd never experienced a Caesarean like that in decades of work.

Just like Ms Johnson, the surgeon denied suggestions she only later came to believe the doctor acted apathetically or dismissively.

And for the first time the tribunal has heard what the doctor will say when he gives evidence: that he never slouched in a chair and he regretted not being told about concerns with the operation so he could discuss them with the mother.

The surgeon said "maybe" she should have given him that opportunity.

"I've worked with him before. I've worked with him after, but that day it was different," she said.

"For some reason on that day he wasn't willing to engage."

The hearing continues.