Sir, – While Prof John Hyland's efforts to highlight the issue of females in surgery are extremely welcome, one important aspect of the problem was missing from his overview ("We need more female consultant surgeons", Opinion & Analysis, September 27th).
Until the culture for male surgeons with families changes, the path for females to become consultant surgeons will not be eased. As a cardiologist with a young family, and as the wife of a surgeon, I know that a macho culture persists in surgery where a male who wants to work family-friendly hours is at best discouraged and at worst ridiculed.
Real change for women in surgery will happen when these outdated attitudes are reformed. – Yours, etc,
Dr EMILY HODKINSON,
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Ballymena,
Co Antrim.