Midwife guilty of malpractice in baby death case

A midwife has been found guilty of professional misconduct after a baby died following a prolonged pregnancy.

Monique Kapua faced charges before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal after a Northland mother, whose name is suppressed, delivered a stillborn son after her pregnancy went two to three weeks overdue.

The accusations included not providing adequate information to the mother about care options, particularly regarding induction in the event of prolonged pregnancy.

Ms Kapua was also alleged to have not documented her care adequately and to have taken leave about the time the woman was due to give birth, without making adequate alternative care arrangements.

In their ruling released today, the tribunal said Ms Kapua's conduct amounted to "malpractice" and "negligence".

"In many instances her conduct amounted to acts or omissions that would bring discredit to the midwifery profession," tribunal deputy chair Kate Davenport said.

The tribunal called for submissions to be made on the penalty against Ms Kapua, to be made within two weeks.

- NZPA