Midwife struck off after baby death

A midwife who failed to follow proper procedures during a difficult birth in which the baby subsequently died has been struck off.

Carolyn Chelley, 35, from Ilminster, was found guilty of two misconduct charges at a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing.

Mrs Chelley was present at the birth of a baby with an abnormal heart rate while working for the Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust in 2001, the NMC's Professional Conduct Committee heard.

Liz McAnulty, the NMC'S Fitness to Practise director, said: "Mrs Chelley has made a string of errors and omissions with disastrous consequences.

Brain damage

"Her decision-making process in these circumstances is inexplicable. She has been removed from the register to protect the public."

The midwife failed to take action when a heart monitor showed a slow heart rate and did not implement an appropriate method of monitoring, the committee heard.

She also did not seek assistance and failed to keep adequate records of the care given.

Nor did she check the dilation of the cervix at relevant times.

The baby, born with hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and severe brain damage, subsequently died.