Statement from New Zealand College Of Midwives 

The New Zealand College of Midwives would like to express its deepest sympathy in regards to the family's situation and the understandable grief they are experiencing.

All midwives have standards of practice that they are required to meet under the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and there are regular, comprehensive education and review systems to assist them with this. Despite these processes tragedies can still occur.

Midwives are expected to reflect on the circumstances surrounding unexpected outcomes and identify any areas in which their practice could have avoided the outcome. This is to ensure any lessons learnt are incorporated into their future practice. The College understands that the midwives involved in this case are active and responsible members of the profession who are extremely distressed at the outcome. They take their responsibilities very seriously and have extensively reviewed their practice to ensure they can make any changes if required.

The New Zealand College of Midwives fully supports the work of the HDC in assessing individual cases and provides midwives with the mechanisms for them to take the required action following such events.

Once again we extend our deepest sympathy to the family.

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