The St. John’s obstetrician received a sanction after a patient complained

An obstetrician at St. John’s has been sanctioned by a tribunal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The tribunal was convened following a patient complaint against Dr. Christa Brown, who was present at her birth in January 2019. The baby died just hours after birth.

Dr. Brown acknowledges in the Agreed Statement of Errors the errors of judgment that led her to deliver forceps to the patient instead of an emergency cesarean section.

The patient also expressed concern about Dr. Brown’s lack of communication after her baby’s death.

The midwife acknowledged that her failure to assess the importance of monitoring the fetal heart and the need for emergency intervention demonstrated gross negligence or reckless disregard for the health and safety of her patient and her young daughter.

The tribunal adopted a joint statement agreeing to reprimand Dr. Brown for successfully completing an appropriate birth management course at her own expense and within four months, and for also completing a course on effective communication with patient.