Midwife struck off after baby stillborn

A midwife has been stuck off after being found guilty of professional misconduct following the death of a baby in her care.

Charges were laid against Monique Kapua after a Northland mother delivered a stillborn son when her pregnancy went two to three weeks overdue.

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal also ordered Ms Kapua to pay $10,000 towards to cost of the tribunal's hearings and censured her, formally expressing its "strong disapproval" and putting a black mark against her name, after a hearing earlier this year.

Ms Kapua would also have to under-go a specific course of education if she sought re-registration as a midwife.

The tribunal recommended she be supervised for 18 months if she was successful in reapplying.

It thought there was a "significant risk" to the public if she was allowed to continue to practise, tribunal deputy chair Kate Davenport said.

"There is no doubt that Ms Kapua's misconduct was a very serious misconduct and her skills appear to be woefully short of those required of a reasonably competent midwife."

She did not appear to recognise her shortcomings even at the hearing when faced with evidence by another Maori midwife, Ms Davenport said.

Ms Kapua was accused of not providing adequate information to the mother about care options, particularly regarding induction in the event of prolonged pregnancy.

She was also alleged to have not documented her care adequately and to have taken leave about the time the woman was due to give birth, without making adequate alternative care arrangements.

Ms Kapua was also ordered to pay $5000 to the Midwifery Council and $5000 to the Director of Proceedings.

- NZPA