Cancelled, disqualified and/or prohibited health practitioners - NMW0001486094

Ms Lisa Barrett

Profession: Midwife

Previous registration number: NMW0001486094

Cancelled and/or prohibition date: 11/03/2014  Duration: Permanent

Previous principal place of practice: Crafers

Conduct or matter:

Ms Barrett was involved in home births where there were features of the pregnancy which made it unsuitable for home birth, which for the most part resulted in tragic outcomes. She failed to comply with the Australian College of Midwives Guidelines in relation to Homebirth and the SA Health Policy for Planned Birth at Home in South Australia. The failures were found to have contributed to the babies’ deaths which may have otherwise been avoidable.

Despite surrendering her registration as a midwife on 28 January 2011, Ms Barrett continued to conduct home births which also resulted in some tragic outcomes. 
 

Findings:

On 11 March 2014, the South Australian Health Practitioners Tribunal found that:

1. Ms Barrett failed to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skill and judgement in providing care and advice to expectant mothers.
2. The standard of care provided by Ms Barrett was substantially below the standard reasonably expected of a midwife.
3. The conduct of Ms Barrett was professional misconduct.

Determination:

Ms Barrett was reprimanded in the strongest possible terms by the Tribunal and fined $20,000. Further, she was permanently prohibited from providing health services akin to midwifery practice.

More information about decision:

Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia v Barrett [2014] SAHPT 1.