Nursing and Midwifery Council determination — interim orders hearing
NMC imposes 18-month interim suspension on midwife Catherine Downie amid investigation
The Nursing and Midwifery Council's Investigating Committee has imposed an 18-month interim suspension order on midwife Catherine Downie while the NMC's case examiners decide whether there is a case to answer.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 15 July 2026 · Updated 21 July 2026
Interim order imposed (interim restrictions imposed) — 18 months
Added to MedicWatch: 21 July 2026Report a correction
What does “interim restrictions imposed” mean?
An interim order is a precautionary restriction imposed before the regulator's investigation is complete. It is not a finding of fault — the underlying allegations have not yet been adjudicated.
Concerning Catherine Downie, midwife (Nursing and Midwifery Council 19B1440E).
Decision date: 15 July 2026 · Hearing started 15 July 2026
In plain English
The NMC's Investigating Committee imposed an 18-month interim suspension order on Catherine Downie, a registered midwife, preventing her from practising while the case is investigated. Ms Downie was present and represented at the hearing. The NMC's case examiners have yet to decide whether there is a case to answer in relation to the allegations against her.
Charges
The specific allegations against Ms Downie are not set out in this determination and have not been adjudicated; the NMC's case examiners are yet to decide whether there is a case to answer.
Findings
There were no findings of fact at this stage. The Investigating Committee made an interim suspension order for 18 months. The order must be reviewed at least every six months while the NMC's case examiners decide whether there is a case to answer, and a reviewing panel may confirm, revoke or replace it with an interim conditions of practice order.
Source
All facts on this page are drawn from the publicly published Nursing and Midwifery Council determination linked below. MedicWatch does not editorialise the regulator’s findings.
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