A BOLTON midwife who neglected a mother-to-be during her labour has been "cautioned" by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Sharon Elaine Clifford was found guilty of four charges of misconduct after the baby died during birth at a Preston hospital.

Clifford, aged 42, from Horwich, and another midwife, 56-year-old Rita Heyes, from Clitheroe, were cautioned at a Nursing and Midwifery Council conduct committee hearing in London about the treatment they gave.

Clifford was found guilty of four charges, including failing to ensure the pregnant woman in her care was given medical assistance. Heyes was found guilty of three charges.

The council -- the professional body representing midwives in the UK -- was told that the incident happened in January 1999 while the women were employed at the Sharoe Green Maternity Hospital, Preston.

The committee heard that the two midwives failed to adequately monitor maternal observations and the foetal heartbeat during the induction of labour.

They also failed to ensure medical assistance was obtained for the patient when the pregnant woman complained of severe pain. The baby subsequently died.

The caution will remain against the midwives' names on the register for five years and employers checking their registration status will be notified.

The NMC's director of professional conduct, Liz McAnulty, said today: "Midwives have a responsibility to act in a manner to promote the wellbeing of women and babies, and to seek assistance when faced with an emergency.

"The NMC acknowledges that the responsibility for this incident went beyond the acts and omissions of these midwives and is to some extent reassured that this terrible tragedy has led to the unit reviewing its practices for the management of high-risk pregnancies."