Sir, Heather Paterson asks, “Who is the greater trained medical practitioner: someone who has done a course for a while or someone who has done a six-year medical degree?” (Times2, Mar 12). The answer is the midwife, since the basic medical degree gives doctors minimal hands-on experience in delivery, although obstetricians then go on to acquire this in their postgraduate training. The intensive midwifery training produces a practitioner who is highly competent in the supervision of childbirth, and who knows exactly when to ask for medical input.
Dr Bob Bury
Leeds