Former head of midwifery struck off by NMC

A former head of midwifery in Guernsey has been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, following the deaths of two babies at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

The NMC found Helen Kelso did not properly identify or investigate concerns with midwifery care when a baby died there in September 2012, and in a further instance in February 2014.

She faced a panel hearing two weeks ago, at which it was determined that she did not take action to prevent "inappropriate working practices" at the hospital.

These included the drug oxytocin (syntocinon) being administered without a consultant obstetrician review of the patient and cardiotocograph (CTG) traces being misinterpreted by midwives.

She admitted a string of misconduct charges and was struck off the medical register, with an interim suspension order of 18 months.

Earlier this month Guernsey's former director of Health and Social Services, Jacqueline Galliene, was also struck off for misconduct charged relating to the two deaths.

At least three other midwives from Guernsey continue to face misconduct charges surrounding the death of the infant that died in 2014.