Midwife struck off after leaving father to deliver his own baby

Susan Hewitt did not attend a three-day hearing called after a couple, known only as Parents A and B, complained over her attendance at their home in the early hours of February 20, 2008.

A panel heard Hewitt was called by the father at around 12.20am after his wife went into labour, only to be told to call back when her “pain was unmanageable”.

The couple said Hewitt’s manner on the telephone was “odd” and described how she had been “preoccupied” with kittens she had at her home and what she would do with them if she attended the birth.

By 1.25am the mother was close to having her baby, with contractions two minutes apart. The father phoned Hewitt again, who said it would take her 40 minutes to arrive at their home.

As she was travelling to the address, in Chesterfield, the father was forced to call the town’s maternity hospital, who then put a paramedic on the phone to help him deliver the baby.

When Hewitt finally arrived at the house, both parents were shocked to find she smelled of alcohol and appeared to be under the influence.

After the event, Hewitt told her bosses that the couple had been mistaken about her condition, and may have smelt alcohol from sterilising hand gel, or cough medicine she was using.

But the Nursing and Midwifery Council said it did not accept her evidence and said her fitness to practice was impaired by her misconduct on that evening.

Hewitt has since taken early retirement from Chesterfield Hospital but panel chairman James Spencer, delivering at the hearing in Chesterfield last week said: “There would be a continuing risk to patients from the risk of repetitive behaviour by Susan Hewitt is she were to remain in practice.”

Hewitt, of Chesterfield, can appeal the order.