Aberdeen Maternity Hospital probe midwife suspended
A midwife at the centre of a police investigation in Aberdeen has been suspended from duty for 18 months.
Kirsteen Stewart was originally suspended from her post by NHS Grampian in April after colleagues raised concerns about her clinical practice.
But Mrs Stewart from Newmachar was also referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which considered 12 alleged incidents over a nine-month period.
The council has now ruled suspension is necessary to protect the public.
In its ruling, the council said "without some form of restriction in place" there would be a "real risk of significant harm to mothers and babies".
The 18-month suspension is the maximum the council can impose to allow a police investigation to conclude.
In April, NHS Grampian said the care of 22 mothers and babies over a two-year period at Aberdeen Maternity hospital was being investigated.
It later said it was "impossible" to predict the number of cases which could be reviewed.
Grampian Police were also asked to carry out an investigation.