Guernsey baby death 'unreported for two years'

Maria Patterson told the hearing the safety procedures had failed

The death of a baby in Guernsey was not reported to the proper authorities for two years, a hearing has been told.

Senior midwife Maria Patterson told the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) there were "systemic concerns" and a lack of supervision at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

She said nothing was done to change procedures on the maternity ward.

Three midwives face charges relating to the death of a baby in January 2014.

Lisa Granville, Tuija Roussel and Antonia Manousaki are accused of failing to act when monitors showed the infant - Baby A - dying in the womb.

It was born in the early hours of 30 January but died later that day.

Ms Paterson, midwife for the Local Supervising Authority (LSA) for south west England, said in her evidence: "It became clear that there were systemic concerns and there was a lack of supervisory investigation into the deaths.

"It was clear that the safety net was not working."

The NMC claims that had the death of one baby been adequately investigated, the other may have survived

A subsequent investigation into the death of Baby A revealed concerns about another child, Baby B, who died in September 2012.

Ms Granville reviewed both cases and wrongly concluded no further action was necessary, the tribunal was told.

The NMC claims that had the death of Baby B been adequately investigated the death of Baby A "may have been prevented".

Ms Patterson said the LSA should have investigated the first case in 2012.

"But the LSA was unaware of a baby death in Guernsey," she added.

Ms Granville admits failing to identify inadequate midwifery care in relation to the administration of the drug Syntocinon and management of a trace on the heart-rate scan.

She also admits her investigation into the death of Baby A was inadequate, but denies all other charges.

Ms Manousaki admits administering Syntocinon without a written prescription but denies failing to challenge a culture of midwives acting outside the scope of their practice.

Ms Roussel admits administering Syntocinon without a written prescription and participating in inappropriate working practices.