Career over for former midwife

A MIDWIFE will never practise again after the deaths of a number of babies from potentially avoidable causes at a regional Victorian hospital.

Dianne Jean Macrae, who was employed as an associate nurse unit manager at Bacchus Marsh Hospital, was one of 38 health practitioners investigated for professional misconduct by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Eleven babies died of potentially avoidable circumstances while in the care of the Djerriwarrh Health Service from 2001 to 2014, sparking investigations of the hospital’s doctors and nurses.

Seven of those deaths occurred between 2013 and 2014.

Ms Macrae made an undertaking to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on Thursday that she wouldn’t apply for midwife registration again after surrendering her registration in 2017.

She previously admitted she failed to carry out clinical assessment and care, failed to recognise and respond to an urgent situation, and kept inadequate clinical records.

VCAT found that Ms Macrae had engaged in 10 instances of professional misconduct.

According to a statement issued by the health agency yesterday, for the 38 practitioners whose matters have been finalised, more than half were closed without the need for regulatory action.

It added that six practitioners were cautioned, five had conditions imposed on their registration, and five were referred to a panel hearing or VCAT.