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Wrexham tea break midwife Helen Bannister struck off | Wrexham tea break midwife Helen Bannister struck off |
(40 minutes later) | |
A midwife who went for a tea break while a patient was giving birth has been struck off the medical register. | A midwife who went for a tea break while a patient was giving birth has been struck off the medical register. |
Helen Bannister, an experienced and once highly regarded delivery nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, retired in 2010 before she could be sacked. | Helen Bannister, an experienced and once highly regarded delivery nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, retired in 2010 before she could be sacked. |
She also allowed a woman with pre-eclampsia to be discharged, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) heard. | She also allowed a woman with pre-eclampsia to be discharged, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) heard. |
It said she would be a danger to the public if allowed to work and ruled her fitness to practise had been impaired. | It said she would be a danger to the public if allowed to work and ruled her fitness to practise had been impaired. |
The hearing was told that over a 10-year period she committed a series of serious errors, including tampering with medical records three time. | The hearing was told that over a 10-year period she committed a series of serious errors, including tampering with medical records three time. |
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel chairman Matthew Fiander said: "Helen Bannister made a number of serious failures in carrying out her duty. | Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel chairman Matthew Fiander said: "Helen Bannister made a number of serious failures in carrying out her duty. |
"While she has expressed remorse, she has expressed limited insight into her failings. | "While she has expressed remorse, she has expressed limited insight into her failings. |
"These are long-standing and entrenched problems. The profession's reputation would be at great risk should she be allowed to continue to practise. | "These are long-standing and entrenched problems. The profession's reputation would be at great risk should she be allowed to continue to practise. |
"She posed serious harm to her patients and as a result her name shall be removed from the medical register." | "She posed serious harm to her patients and as a result her name shall be removed from the medical register." |
An NMC panel heard that in 2000 Mrs Bannister left a patient, who had had an epidural, to go for a tea break. | An NMC panel heard that in 2000 Mrs Bannister left a patient, who had had an epidural, to go for a tea break. |
Senior midwife Dawn Cooper, who used to look up to Mrs Bannister during the early stages of her career, described her former colleague's absence as dangerous. | Senior midwife Dawn Cooper, who used to look up to Mrs Bannister during the early stages of her career, described her former colleague's absence as dangerous. |
"You may leave the room maybe to grab a piece of equipment for a couple of seconds, but never to go for a cup of tea," she added. | "You may leave the room maybe to grab a piece of equipment for a couple of seconds, but never to go for a cup of tea," she added. |
"Especially when a patient is in the second stage of labour and has had an epidural - because they may not be aware they are pushing." | "Especially when a patient is in the second stage of labour and has had an epidural - because they may not be aware they are pushing." |
It was later discovered she had tampered with entries on the woman's medical file made by one of her colleagues. | It was later discovered she had tampered with entries on the woman's medical file made by one of her colleagues. |
The mistake saw Mrs Bannister subject to disciplinary proceedings, and she underwent a six-month period of being supervised at work. | The mistake saw Mrs Bannister subject to disciplinary proceedings, and she underwent a six-month period of being supervised at work. |
High blood pressure | High blood pressure |
However, two years later she then adjusted a separate patient's medical records, over-writing information that dated back to 1985. | However, two years later she then adjusted a separate patient's medical records, over-writing information that dated back to 1985. |
Although the panel was told both "corrections" had not been done in an attempt to hide any wrongdoing, the entries had broken strict rules on medical records. | Although the panel was told both "corrections" had not been done in an attempt to hide any wrongdoing, the entries had broken strict rules on medical records. |
The two incidents were dealt with "in house", but were referred to the NMC when in 2010 Mrs Bannister had failed to recognise that a patient who was 25 weeks pregnant had with pre-eclampsia. | The two incidents were dealt with "in house", but were referred to the NMC when in 2010 Mrs Bannister had failed to recognise that a patient who was 25 weeks pregnant had with pre-eclampsia. |
The condition, which includes dangerously high blood pressure, can be fatal to mother and baby. | The condition, which includes dangerously high blood pressure, can be fatal to mother and baby. |
Mrs Bannister was suspended following an investigation by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but retired shortly after. | Mrs Bannister was suspended following an investigation by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but retired shortly after. |
Gross misconduct | Gross misconduct |
Although she had told officials she had "no desire" to return to work ever again, they only had her word for it and a fitness to practise investigation got under way. | Although she had told officials she had "no desire" to return to work ever again, they only had her word for it and a fitness to practise investigation got under way. |
Had they not pursued the case, in theory Mrs Bannister could have worked in the nursing profession if she came out of retirement. | Had they not pursued the case, in theory Mrs Bannister could have worked in the nursing profession if she came out of retirement. |
During a previous hearing Deborah Edwards, assistant head of midwifery, said Mrs Bannister's mistakes were so serious she would have been sacked for gross misconduct had she not quit. | During a previous hearing Deborah Edwards, assistant head of midwifery, said Mrs Bannister's mistakes were so serious she would have been sacked for gross misconduct had she not quit. |
Mrs Bannister, who has not been present at any of the hearings and also chose not to be represented, has 28 days in which to appeal against the verdict. | Mrs Bannister, who has not been present at any of the hearings and also chose not to be represented, has 28 days in which to appeal against the verdict. |
Betsi Cadwaladr midwifery director Jill Galvani praised hospital staff for bringing Mrs Bannister's shortcomings to their attention. | Betsi Cadwaladr midwifery director Jill Galvani praised hospital staff for bringing Mrs Bannister's shortcomings to their attention. |
"The safety of women in labour is our first concern," she said. | "The safety of women in labour is our first concern," she said. |
"I am confident midwives in north Wales provide excellent care." |