Midwife Burne-Vaughn admits breaching patient rights after 2021 stillbirth
A tribunal found that midwife Burne-Vaughn breached multiple patient-rights standards during a 2021 stillbirth, prompting a family’s ongoing anguish.
The Human Rights Review Tribunal determined that midwife Burne-Vaughn breached patient-rights obligations in a 2021 delivery that resulted in a stillbirth. Findings included failure to order a 28-week blood test, neglecting follow-up on a 29-week ultrasound, insufficient prenatal visits, and inadequate monitoring during labour. Resuscitation efforts were delayed and equipment was not prepared, and the family was not informed that the baby had been stillborn until four days after birth.
The mother later suffered postnatal sepsis, a urinary infection, hypertension, and required surgery for an infected perineal tear. Burne-Vaughn has apologized in writing, undergone a Midwifery Council competence review, and completed further education and supervision.
Why it matters
The case highlights serious gaps in maternity care standards and the impact of communication failures on grieving families.
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