Nurse admits ‘mistakes’ in deaths of babies but refuses to defend self

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
She has apologized, she has admitted mistakes and has denied any effort to “cover up” her actions but former midwife nurse Marie Ratcliffe has allegedly taken responsibility for 64 allegations regarding 14 patients in her care between 2004 and 2013.
In an independent inquiry last month, there was a revelation of a “lethal mix” of failures at the maternity unit which led to “the unnecessary deaths of 11 babies and one mother” at Furness General Hospital in Stratford, East London.
Though she did not turn up for the hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the former Furness General Hospital in the UK nurse is alleged to have contributed “to the death and/or causing a baby to lose a significant chance of survival in relation to the deaths of Elleanor Bennett in 2004 and Alex Davey-Brady in 2008,” according to reports in the press. She has not been charged by the Police.
Other allegations include her failure to monitor babies as well as mothers in labour, failure to request assistance from a doctor and failure to properly document her actions while on duty.
Representing the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Amanda Hamilton said, “it was important not to delay proceedings any further”. Interestingly, Ms Ratcliffe claimed that the “system” was “flawed” and she was “governed” by the procedures.
Ms Ratcliffe was fired by the Nursing and Midwifery Council for a period of 18 months at a conduct hearing last year.
The hearing, held in East London, chaired by Panel chairman Gary Leong, heard that Ms Ratcliffe had “no interest” in defending herself against the accusations.
Ratcliffe has said that she has no intention of returning to the profession.
Meanwhile, the Cumbria Police said after concluding their own investigation into the deaths, they would not be pressing any charges on any member of staff.
The hearing will continue for another two weeks.