WARWICK: MIDWIFE TOO ILL TO FACE MISCONDUCT HEARING
A midwife accused of dropping a newborn baby on the floor was too ill to attend a disciplinary hearing today (Tues).
Diana Warwick, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, had been charged with causing the baby to fall out of a plastic cot on September 1, 2005.
Following the incident Warwick allegedly behaved inappropriately by refusing to leave the West Cumberland Hospital, despite being told to do so by a colleague.
Ms Warwick was also accused of attaching an electric heart rate monitor to a woman in a birthing pool, rather than a water-safe version.
The midwife was fined £160 for driving without insurance at Whitehaven Magistrates’ Court on June 2, 2006, and banned from the road for six months.
The midwife was due to face a hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council in central London today but was unable to attend for health reasons.
Her case has now been adjourned and will be heard at a later date.
Among 35 charges against Ms Warwick are accusations that she behaved inappropriately in front of women in labour by putting her face close to theirs and shouting ‘push!’
She also allegedly failed assessments and lacked the knowledge, skill and judgement to practise without supervision.
If the midwife is found guilty of misconduct or incompetence, she could face being kicked out of the profession.
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