Peter Atherton Successfully Defends Midwife at the NMC

Peter Atherton, instructed by Charlotte Ellis of Burton Copeland, has successfully defended a midwife at the NMC. It was alleged that their client, an experienced and well regarded midwife, had performed an episiotomy without consent. It had also been alleged that during the second stage of labour she had not obtained her clients consent to carry out vaginal examinations, had used defective equipment and had not kept adequate records. Their client had been transferred to clerical duties and suspended for almost 3 years following the complaint. After an 8 day hearing, the Panel determined that there was no case to answer and dismissed all the charges. Peter said "This was a great team effort and we are delighted that we have been able to achieve this excellent result. At a time when the NHS desperately needs experienced midwives it is very regrettable that our client has been suspended for so long. The Tribunal gave very careful and fair consideration to her case."