By CAROLINE WILSON

A MIDWIFE who allegedly called a labouring mum "stupid" has appeared before nursing watchdogs.

Ann Renwick Faccini, 60, is also alleged to have failed to offer the woman any pain relief options.

Three mothers have come forward with complaints against Mrs Faccini, while she was employed as a staff midwife in the maternity unit of Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.

One woman - Patient A - claims that while she was having her baby in October 2012, the midwife called her ‘stupid' or words to that effect.

She also claims Ms Facchini failed to discuss her birth plan, did not keep her informed and failed to discuss pain relief.

The midwife is also alleged to have failed to adjust the temperature of a birthing pool and administered morphine without a patient's consent.

Mrs Facchini, who has been a registered midwife for 27 years and a registered nurse for 29 years, was suspended from duty in September 2013 after the allegations came to light.

Another charge states that she ruptured the membranes of the anminotic sack too soon and without the consent of the mother.

The incidents, are said to have happened between May 9 2011 and March 3 2013.

Following the women’s complaints, an audit was launched and looked at 157 case notes in total.Of those, 20 were identified for further review.

The concerns raised in the audit covered a wide range of midwifery practice including care planning, consent, documentation and no labour birth plans completed on admission.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran is encouraging other mothers, with complaints against Ms Faccini, to come forward.

The NMC’s report states: “The care a midwife must give to a woman in labour is particularly sensitive."

A spokeswoman for NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: "Following complaints from patients and staff, NHS Ayrshire & Arran conducted an internal investigation into the clinical practice of a midwife who previously worked in Ayrshire Maternity Unit.

"At that time, our management team made a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in order that the member of staff was not able practice in any other area.

"As a result, this person has not worked for the organisation since 2013 and had an interim suspension order applied by the NMC prohibiting clinical practice in the UK.

"Following our investigation, we have identified a small number of women who may have had concerns about their treatment, and have contacted them to discuss any issues.

"If any woman thinks they may have been affected and has concerns they wish to raise, they can contact the maternity page holder on 01563 521133 (ask for page 2390).

The case will resume on l December 14 for two days when six witnesses are due to give evidence.