Midwife Dismissed for Unethical Behavior During Birth – What Happened?
The tragic case of a baby suffering a catastrophic hemorrhage due to a midwife’s failure to administer vital vitamins during a home birth has shocked the medical community. Shadae Mullard, a former midwife at Liverpool Women’s Hospital home birth team, has been struck off after lying about her actions, leading to serious harm to the newborn.
The Incident at Liverpool Women’s Hospital
In May 2021, new parents called for Mullard’s assistance for a home birth. However, she arrived after the baby, referred to as baby A, was born. Despite the crucial need for vitamin K administration to prevent hemorrhage, Mullard failed to provide the necessary treatment. This lapse in care led to the baby being hospitalized with severe symptoms, including vomiting, a weak left arm, and eye rolling.
A month later, baby A was admitted to a specialist pediatric hospital, where a CT scan revealed a large intracranial hemorrhage classified as catastrophic. The clotting screen results confirmed severe vitamin K deficiency as the cause of the baby’s condition.
Mullard’s Attempt to Cover Up Her Actions
During the subsequent Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness to practice hearing, it was revealed that Mullard had tried to deceive her colleagues by falsely claiming she had administered vitamin K to baby A. However, there was no evidence or witnesses to support her claim. Subsequent investigations found no record of vitamin K administration in the baby’s personal health record.
After baby A’s condition improved following the administration of vitamin K, Mullard was suspended from the hospital in September 2021 and dismissed in January 2022. The NMC panel determined that Mullard’s actions constituted serious professional misconduct, as she knowingly lied to colleagues and falsified medical records to cover up her negligence.
The Consequences of Mullard’s Deceit
Alastair Kennedy, representing the NMC, emphasized the serious harm caused by Mullard’s failure to administer vitamin K to baby A. The panel concluded that Mullard’s deceitful conduct, which included repeatedly lying to colleagues and falsifying medical records, was not only deplorable but also posed a significant risk to patient safety.
The panel further noted that Mullard’s misconduct was part of a prolonged pattern of deception, indicating a serious breach of professional ethics. As a result, the decision to strike Mullard off the nursing register was deemed necessary to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the profession.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
The case of Shadae Mullard serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in healthcare. The trust placed in midwives and other healthcare professionals to provide safe and effective care to patients must not be taken lightly.
Moving forward, it is essential for healthcare organizations to implement robust oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents from occurring. Regular audits, training programs, and strict adherence to professional standards can help ensure that patient safety remains the top priority in all healthcare settings.
In conclusion, the dismissal of Shadae Mullard highlights the grave consequences of unethical behavior in healthcare. By holding individuals accountable for their actions and maintaining high standards of professionalism, we can strive to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.