Midwives Struck Off Register After Deaths of Two Babies

The nursing register has removed two midwives after they did not arrange emergency medical attention for two newborn infants who subsequently passed away. Jasper White’s death occurred in June 2019, and Margot Bowtell passed away in May 2020; both had been born at the Cheltenham Birth Centre located in Gloucestershire. Hazel Williams and Lisa Land were removed from the register on Wednesday, following a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel’s conclusion that the lives of both infants might have been saved had the midwives recognized and acted upon critical warning signs. Derek McFaull, who chaired the panel, stated that permitting Ms Land and Ms Williams to remain in practice “would undermine public confidence” in the midwifery profession. Neither of the midwives attended the hearing nor had legal representation. The birth centre, which operates under the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, offered an option for women with low-risk pregnancies to deliver their babies outside of a bustling hospital environment. However, the facility lacked emergency services, meaning that in cases of complications, patients were supposed to be transferred to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, situated a 30-minute drive away. The NMC panel was informed that Jasper’s condition worsened rapidly after birth, yet his transfer to the neonatal unit in Gloucester was delayed by 50 minutes. He passed away 11 hours following his birth. The NMC panel learned that Ms Williams had prompted Ms Land to alter Jasper’s medical notes, changing the description of his condition from “poor” to “good,” three days after his death. Subsequently, Ms Williams inserted additional entries into his records. During labor, Margot’s mother, Laura Bowtell, experienced two occurrences of blood-stained amniotic fluid, a situation that should have prompted her immediate transfer to a hospital. The panel was informed that despite her requesting an ambulance three times, Ms Williams disregarded her pleas. Margot was born not breathing and, although quickly transported to the hospital, she died three days later. The panel determined that the actions of Ms Williams and Ms Land led to both Jasper and Margot “losing a significant chance of survival.” Upon their removal from the register, Mr McFaull stated that neither Ms Williams nor Ms Land had shown any indication of “insight, remediation or remorse” regarding their conduct. He further noted that the case involved “vulnerable victims and a direct risk to people receiving care.” Mr McFaull pointed out that Ms Williams, as a senior manager at the unit, had influenced Ms Land to falsify medical records. However, he also commented that, given her 10 years of experience as a midwife, “Ms Land ought to have known better and adhered to the NMC code.” He concluded that their removal from the register was essential to “send both the public and the profession a clear message about the standards expected of a registered midwife.” Mrs Bowtell informed the BBC that the knowledge her daughter might have survived if Ms Land and Ms Williams had intervened was “something we will have to live with for the rest of our lives.” She stated, “Knowing that our daughter could be here – no parent should have to live with that.” She added, “There were plenty of missed opportunities to escalate my care during my pregnancy as well as during my birth.” When questioned about her feelings regarding the midwives being struck off, she responded, “This is justice for Margot and baby Jasper.” Michelle Prudence, a former midwife, served as a crucial whistleblower in the inquiry concerning the two fatalities. She was a member of the team that transported Margot to the hospital and participated in efforts to resuscitate her. She remarked, “I gave everything that day. I gave my heart and soul to try and keep Margot alive and part of me died that day.” Ms Williams and Ms Land are granted 28 days to appeal the panel’s ruling.