Board bans doctor

Press, 23 September 1983, Page 4

Board bans doctor

PA Auckland A doctor has been barred from practising obstetrics at any Auckland Hospital Board institution after the death of a baby within hours of its birth at National Women’s Hospital. The doctor, who has lodged an appeal, has not been named.

The board’s deputy super-intendent-in-chief, Dr T. G. Hawley, said he made the decision to exclude the doctor from the board’s hospitals, but he would not disclose details of the case.

The medical superintendent of National Women’s Hospital, Dr I. L. G. Hutchison, said the baby’s mother was admitted last month as an emergency case. The baby was in a poor condition at birth and died within 24 hours, he said. The doctors handling the case in hospital “were sufficiently disturbed by what could have happened before her

admission,” that they wanted the matter investigated and the case was referred to the board. A committee of three doctors will meet on September 29 to consider the doctor’s appeal against the suspension.

Dr Hawley said the board had agreements with a number of general practitioners who practised obstetrics, giving them permission to use public hospitals if they maintained an acceptable standard. Dr Hawley said no doctor had been suspended in this way for nine years. The case may go to the Medical Council for disciplinary action against the doctor if the appeal committee confirms the board’s decision.

The appeal committee consists of a medical superintendent, obstetric specialist, and a general practitioner who practises obstetrics.