Sir, - In her highly sarcastic article on Holles Street Hospital, Kathryn Holmquist not only misses the point about the move, but is highly insulting to obstetricians, midwives and nurses and trivialises their work.
The new location in the campus of St Vincent's University Hospital will facilitate access to women south of Co Dublin, the next nearest obstetrical services being in Wexford. The days of the specialist hospital appears to be numbered, in favour of the "one-stop shop", at which all medical services are available.
Contrary to what she says, active management of childbirth was not introduced as a convenience. It has been most successful in preventing protracted labour, the safe delivery of healthy babies and preventing maternal death. Our maternity hospitals' achievements are second to none.
It is ridiculous to suggest that a woman, having undergone the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth, would have the physical and psychological energy to undergo tummy tucks and other body-enhancing surgery. Her priority is to return home as early as possible and take charge of the new baby and the rest of the family. - Yours, etc.,
Anne Vella, RGN, SCM. Dartry, Dublin 6