Sanctions against former PRI midwife continued as nursing chiefs investigate baby’s death

Nursing bosses are to continue a sanction against a midwife as they investigate the death of a baby.

Perth Royal Infirmary midwifery team leader Brenda Hinshaw was sacked in February.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the profession’s governing body, has since placed her under a conditions of practice order while it investigates further.

At a review hearing last week, the body decided not to lift the sanction or to increase it to a suspension. However, Hinshaw will have to undertake training before she is allowed to work as a midwife again.

Should the matter go before a full hearing, Hinshaw could receive a striking off order.

It is alleged that on July 22 last year a pregnant woman was transferred as an emergency to the labour suite at Ninewells Hospital from Perth’s community maternity unit.

The child, who was delivered via caesarean section, was not breathing at birth and half an hour of resuscitation attempts failed.

The panel was also told that after a birth on June 15 last year the mother had a severe uterine bleed. Concerns were raised that Ms Hinshaw did not address the problem quickly enough. It is thought she intends to appeal her dismissal.