Sir, - After reading Marian Dunphy's letter of June 14th, I feel obliged to comment on why consultants are thanked personally and not midwives. The system that operates in Ireland is such that many pregnant women see the same consultant from early in their pregnancy through to their post-natal check. A personal relationship is therefore established between the two.
The midwife, on the other hand, very often only has dealings with the pregnant mother for the final stage of pregnancy, labour. It is impossible to believe that a mother-to-be could build a relationship with the midwife at this point. This, in my opinion, is why we can remember only the name on the midwife's badge, e.g., Mary or Colette. I believe that no pregnant woman is under any illusion as to how important the role of the midwife is. It is unfortunately just more difficult to establish a similar rapport with her, leading to a personal thank you in the paper. - Yours, etc.,
Sheila Kingston, Sutton, Dublin 13.