Scottish midwife suspended over mistreatment claims

Investigations began when staff at the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital raised the alarm. An internal inquiry substantiated their concerns and the matter was referred to the Grampian Police, who are carrying out an investigation.

The midwife has been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and suspended from practice by the Local Supervising Authority pending a full investigation.

Senior clinical staff from the hospital are now meeting families who may have been affected to explain the reasons for the investigation and to offer support and counselling. An NHS 24-hour helpline has also been set up to reassure worried families or members of the public.

NHS Grampian's chief operating officer Dr Pauline Strachan said the organisation is doing everything it can to support the families involved.

"Understandably we are unable to go into detail without running the risk of prejudicing the investigation," she explained. "However, I can reassure the public that our concerns focus on the practice of one individual midwife. We are not investigating any deaths and have no reason to believe there was any systemic failure in an otherwise excellent service."

Strachan added that NHS Grampian is satisfied that Aberdeen Maternity Hospital continues to provide a high standard of care for the 400 babies born there every month.

NHS Grampian has also called in the Scottish national quality assessment body, Quality Improvement Scotland, to review the case, "in the interests of providing reassurance to the public".

The NHS 24-hour helpline number is 08000 858531.