A midwife who left her ward to fly to a remote Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides to escort a mum-to-be to hospital "had no choice", according to a top NHS nurse.
Kathy McLean, a former chairwoman of the professional conduct committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and now an NHS 24 clinical service manager, said Anne Duffy made the right decision in flying by air ambulance to the island of Benbecula, since if the mother had not been airlifted there was a possibility she and her baby would have died.
Managers at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley said Ms Duff acted inappropriately in leaving her ward, however, which resulted in her resigning from her job last September and claiming constructive dismissal.
Representing Ms Duff, Alistair Cockburn asked Ms McLean what a midwife should do when faced with a decision that compromises hospital policy.
Ms McLean said: "There is no question. Irrespective of policy, you are accountable for your practice.
"Ms Duffy had no choice. If she had not done it, it would be gross misconduct. She had to go."
She added: "You must act without delay if you believe that you may be putting someone at risk. You are personally accountable and must be able to justify decisions."
The case continues.
Related links:
- Bosses told me I should not have helped to save mum-to-be, midwife tells tribunal (Daily Record)
- Midwife who flew to Outer Hebrides to save pregnant woman did act professionally, tribunal hears (Daily Record)
- Midwife 'had no choice over live-saving bid' (Evening Times)
- Constructive dismissal law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Constructive dismissal Q&A (Community forum)
- Constructive dismissal law news (The Solicitor)
- Find an employment solicitor (Contact Law)
