Midwife Jan Scherp, of Sage Femme Midwives, was this morning cleared of allegations of professional misconduct by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Queenstown.
Tribunal deputy chairman David Carden found none of the five particulars outlined in the charge under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 were proven in relation to the care Ms Scherp, of Central Otago, provided to Queenstown mother Sara Gutzewtiz and her son Francis (Frankie) between January 20, 2010 and February 7, 2010.
Ms Scherp's counsel, Anita Miller, sought permanent name suppression for her client but Mr Carden denied the application.
"The provisions for an order for suppression in the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act requires the tribunal to have regard to the interest of any persons and the public interest . . . and it has discretion to do so.
"One of the principles is the impact that an order for suppression of name may have on other health practitioners in that profession.
"The tribunal concludes that there should be no order prohibiting the publication of Ms Scherp's name."
- See tomorrow's ODT for full details of the tribunal's decision
