Sir, – In response to Prof Declan Devane and others (March 12th), regarding the attitude of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, we wish to confirm the that institute is fully supportive of all aspects of the National Maternity Strategy, as was stated at the Oireachtas Health Committee.
Midwives and doctors working in the Irish health service have a long tradition of working cooperatively together. Teamwork and mutual respect are in the best interests of women. Any practice that creates division between midwives and obstetricians is not in the best interests of women. Such is not always the case in other countries, sometimes with tragic results, as revealed in the Morecambe Bay inquiry in the UK. – Yours, etc,
Dr PETER BOYLAN,
Chairman,
Dr CLIONA MURPHY,
Chairwoman-elect,
Institute of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists,
Frederick House, Dublin 2.