In January 2010 the Ethics Committee received a complaint from two members of the public under section 3a of the code of conduct: Dr Foster will take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted material including pictures. Specifically the complainants alleged that the text on forceps delivery did not fully explain to patients and the public the risks around this procedure.
This complaint was discussed at the March meeting of the committee. They concluded that whilst the risk to a neonate from the use of non-rotational forceps was slight, it was acknowledged that there was a higher risk, including rarely, of serious neonatal injury, with the use of Kielland's forceps where the baby's head was rotated. This is however very much lessened with their careful use in the hands of an experienced practitioner. The Ethics Committee recommended that Dr Foster edited the text on the website to reflect this.
Dr Foster Response
Dr Foster fully accepts the Ethics Committee ruling and has amended the Birth Guide accordingly
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