Rowling's midwife struck off after child death

Published on Saturday 21 March 2009 10:19

A MIDWIFE who delivered two of JK Rowling's children has been struck off after a pool birth in which a baby died.

Deborah Purdue, 47, who used to work in Edinburgh, missed a series of indications that the baby was in distress during the home birth in Poole, Dorset, on July 19, 2005.

She failed to intervene on at least five occasions as a monitor showed an increased heart rate, preferring a hands-off "holistic" approach.

Mother and baby were eventually transferred to hospital but the child could not be saved.

The mother is the partner of a drummer in a famous rock band, it has emerged.

Purdue was yesterday struck off after the Nursing and Midwifery Council found her actions put the baby at risk.

Purdue, who denied misconduct, worked at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee from 1986 to 1989 before moving to Edinburgh.

She later set up the Dorset and Wiltshire Independent Midwives company with business partner Frances Findlay.