Midwife at centre of police inquiry suspended 'to protect the public'

THE midwife at the centre of a police investigation into her care of mothers and their babies has been suspended by her professional body for "the protection of the public".

Kirsteen Stewart, 44, a midwife at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, was temporarily suspended from duty by NHS Grampian in March after police were called in to investigate the care of 22 mothers and babies.

The health authority suspended her "pending the outcome of an investigation into her clinical practice" and referred Mrs Stewart's case to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It was revealed yesterday that Mrs Stewart has now been suspended for 18 months following a meeting of the council's investigating committee.

The committee met in private in Edinburgh to discuss what the NMC described as "serious allegations of malpractice in professional midwifery duties".

Imposing an interim suspension order for 18 months, the investigating committee stated: "Without some form of restriction in place, there would be a real risk of significant harm to mothers and babies.

"The panel believe that there would be a likelihood of repetition, given that there was 12 alleged incidents over a nine-month period. In addition, without some form of restriction, there would be significant damage to the reputation of the profession and the NMC as professional regulator.

"Accordingly, the panel believe that some form of order is necessary on all three grounds - namely, protection of the public, otherwise in the public interest and in the registrant's (Mrs Stewart's] own interest."

The statement continued: "The panel considers that the nature of the allegations and ongoing police investigation would make conditions of practice wholly inappropriate in this case.

"This order is made for the maximum period allowed under the rules to allow the police to conclude their investigations and the NMC to then investigate the matter."

The statement added: "The panel considered the potential impact of the suspension order on the registrant in terms of professional reputation and financial hardship.

"However, when balancing this against the need to protect the public, the panel decided that the public interest and public protection outweighed the interests of the registrant."

Mrs Stewart, of Coubert Road, Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, could not be contacted for comment yesterday. But the NMC said she had not opposed the suspension order.

It is understood the initial inquiry by NHS Grampian focused on the number of emergency Caesarean sections carried out on pregnant mothers in the care of Mrs Stewart.

One woman involved in the investigation has previously voiced concerns that she may have had an unnecessary Caesarean section.

At the time Mrs Stewart was temporarily suspended from duty by NHS Grampian the health authority said it had taken the action after concerns were raised by colleagues and an internal investigation substantiated those concerns. The case was then referred to Grampian Police.

The health board said it was understood some of the concerns related to injuries allegedly suffered by a number of the babies, including one who reportedly suffered a lack of oxygen for several minutes. The high rate of emergency Caesareans among the midwife's patients had also been noted.

A telephone helpline, established by NHS Grampian following Mrs Stewart's initial suspension, was closed last month after being contacted by more than 150 worried parents.

A spokesman for Grampian Police said its inquiries were continuing.z