A senior midwife has been removed from the professional register after a panel concluded that her conduct during a difficult delivery breached fundamental standards of care. Adenike Simiat Balogun‑Sadiq, who worked at several London hospitals, was told she would have to be cut open if she did not push, and was later accused of questioning the mother’s emotional state while she was in pain. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel’s decision, handed down on Monday, brings her 22‑year career to an end and raises fresh questions about how maternity services handle high‑stress moments.
The incident, which took place on 17 and 18 July 2019 at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley, south‑east London, has left lasting echoes for the mother, referred to in the proceedings as Mother A. At the time, Mother A was struggling to push during a complicated delivery. When she told the midwife she felt she could not continue, the response came without warning: “If you don’t push, I’m going to have to cut you.” The remark was recorded in the official findings, which also noted that the midwife later asked, “What’s wrong with you? Are you emotional?” as the mother cried out in pain. In addition, the panel found that adequate pain relief was not provided before or during the suturing process, a lapse that compounded the trauma.
Balogun‑Sadiq had already been under scrutiny before the 2019 episode. A Fitness to Practise Committee panel imposed a six‑month suspension on 7 April 2025, after determining that the July incident amounted to serious misconduct. The suspension was later reviewed on 17 September 2025, and the panel decided to extend it for another six months, citing the need for reflection and further training. A second review on 23 March 2026 upheld the extended suspension, with the panel acknowledging that the misconduct appeared to be an isolated event in an otherwise unblemished 22‑year career.
During the period of suspension, Balogun‑Sadiq was required to submit a reflective piece demonstrating insight into her failures and how they would shape her future practice. She also had to engage with the regulator to address the concerns raised. However, according to Monday’s decision, she consistently failed to comply. Notices were sent, but she did not attend the virtual hearing scheduled for that day. The panel concluded that her lack of engagement, combined with the original findings, indicated a real risk that the same behaviour could be repeated.
In addition to the misconduct during the delivery, the NMC found that Balogun‑Sadiq had provided false information on official paperwork in November 2022. She declared that she had retired on 31 August 2022, yet she was still undertaking midwifery shifts at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London. This deception further eroded trust in her professional integrity and contributed to the panel’s decision to impose a striking‑off order, which will take effect on 6 November 2026.
The panel’s written decision emphasized that the breaches identified were “fundamentally incompatible with her remaining on the register.” It noted that the lack of engagement and failure to demonstrate remediation left patients at risk of harm. The ruling marks the end of a chapter that has prompted reflection among colleagues about the pressures faced by maternity staff and the importance of maintaining compassionate, patient‑centred care even in high‑stakes situations.
The case has sparked discussion among health‑care professionals about the support needed for midwives and obstetric teams when dealing with traumatic deliveries. While the NMC’s primary role is to protect the public, the incident also highlights the emotional toll that can affect both staff and patients. Some advocates argue that better training in communication and emotional support could prevent similar episodes in the future, while others stress the need for robust oversight to ensure that standards are upheld across all maternity units.
For Mother A, the outcome brings a mixture of relief and lingering distress. Although the striking‑off order provides a formal acknowledgement that the care she received fell below acceptable standards, the memory of the exchange continues to haunt her. Support groups for maternity patients have reported an increase in calls for counselling following similar experiences, suggesting that the impact of such moments can extend far beyond the immediate clinical setting.
The broader implications for the NHS are also worth considering. Midwifery is already a demanding profession, with high levels of responsibility and emotional intensity. The case underscores the necessity for institutions to provide adequate debriefing, mental‑health resources, and clear protocols for handling difficult births. It also raises questions about how regulatory bodies balance the need to protect patients with the potential for rehabilitation of professionals who may have made isolated errors.
In the wake of the decision, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has reiterated its commitment to upholding standards of kindness, respect, and compassion in all aspects of nursing and midwifery practice. The regulator’s statement stressed that any threat of violence or intimidation during patient care will be treated as a serious breach of professional conduct.
For those who follow the health‑care sector, the story serves as a stark reminder that even seasoned professionals can falter under pressure, and that robust oversight, transparent processes, and supportive workplace cultures are essential to safeguarding both patients and staff. As the NHS continues to navigate staffing challenges and increasing demand for maternity services, the lessons from this case will likely inform future policy and training initiatives.
Why it Matters
The striking‑off of Adenike Simiat Balogun‑Sadiq is more than a regulatory footnote; it reflects a critical failure in the maternity care system that endangered a vulnerable patient and eroded trust in a vital health service. The incident underscores the urgent need for improved training in empathetic communication, better support structures for health‑care workers under stress, and stronger safeguards to prevent intimidation or coercion during childbirth. By holding professionals accountable while also prompting systemic reflection, the outcome aims to protect future mothers and reinforce the principle that compassionate, patient‑centred care must remain non‑negotiable in the NHS.