Negligent midwife to pay costs

A Christchurch midwife has had her registration cancelled and been ordered to pay $85,000 costs after a professional misconduct hearing.

The midwife, who has name suppression, appeared before a Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Christchurch this week on six charges of professional misconduct related to her treatment of five patients between 2005 and 2008.

Witnesses told the tribunal the midwife brushed off their concerns, was cold and uncaring and treated patients like animals.

One told of repeatedly ringing the midwife while in labour but being told to take Panadol and wait. She gave birth on the laundry floor.

The tribunal today found the midwife guilty of negligence, malpractice and bringing discredit to the profession, Radio New Zealand reported.

The midwife has been censured and her registration cancelled. She was not fined, but ordered to pay costs of $85,000.

The tribunal lifted the woman's name suppression but her lawyer indicated he would appeal that decision to the High Court.

- NZPA