Guernsey Press

Midwife accused over baby death breaks down

A MIDWIFE facing a possible ban after the death of a baby at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital broke down in tears and apologised at a tribunal hearing yesterday.

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Tuija Roussel worked with senior midwife Lisa Granville when two babies died.

Granville was found guilty last week by The Nursing and Midwifery Council of not properly investigating the death of a desperately ill infant in 2012.

If she had reviewed the death properly and flagged up concerns it might have prevented the second death two years later, the tribunal has heard.

Roussel was found guilty of not escalating the delay in delivery of Baby A and not seeking a review of Patient A’s condition having entered the second stage of labour.

She had admitted to administering Syntocinon, which can speed up babies’ heart rates, without a written prescription or medical review and admitted those actions increased the risk of harm to Patient A and/or Baby A.

Roussel also admitted participating in inappropriate working practices, such as midwives accepting verbal orders and seeking to avoid contact with obstetricians at night.

Roussel has returned to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, but now works under a supervisor in a non-clinical capacity with a new head of midwifery.

It was agreed that it would be in the best interests of patients given the coverage of the disciplinary hearing, she said, when giving evidence via Skype.

The hearing continues.

Full story in today's Guernsey Press