A midwife has stopped working as a lead maternity carer after she failed to properly care for a woman during her pregnancy.
A report released on Monday by Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall found the self-employed registered midwife, who was in her first year of practice, failed to read the results of two ultrasound scans for the woman. The woman, who was in her 30s at the time, was pregnant with her first child when she was provided antenatal care.
During several scans leading up to the 20-week ultrasound report, it was found the woman's fetus was small in size compared to its estimated delivery date. The midwife booked her in for more scans but didn't read or follow up on the results of these.
Wall criticised this midwife's failure, particularly when she knew of potential concerns with the fetus' size.
"Viewing and following up on the results of tests they have ordered is a basic requirement of any health professional," Wall said.
"This report highlights the importance of communication between a woman and her lead maternity carer, and of junior midwives recognising their limitations and ensuring their caseload is appropriate for their experience."
In Wall's report, a text from the woman to the midwife said: "I went for my 20-week anatomy scan today and was quite upset to hear that I should have been referred to a specialist 4 weeks ago after my 16-week scan. I had specifically asked you twice about the radiology report and didn't get a reply."
Independent midwifery advisor Fiona Hermann told the Health and Disability Commission that a midwife is expected to read and acknowledge every result. She added that a midwife is also expected to check results regularly and is responsible for following up on any scan or lab test they've requested.
"I share RM Hermann's view, as viewing and following up on results of tests they have ordered is a basic requirement of any health professional. If [the midwife] had read either ultrasound scan report, she would have been alerted to possible abnormalities with the fetus."
Wall said the midwife has reflected on what happened and has decided to stop lead maternity carer work. She has also given a written apology to the woman.
Wall recommended that should the midwife recommence lead maternity carer work in the future, she should receive all scan and laboratory reports electronically, set up a shared system of electronic notes for midwives in the practice, introduce a system of 'tasks to do', and introduce sharing of tasks or a system of delegating tasks to a colleague or practice partner.
