Articulating the difficult

I have often found it hard to find the right words to articulate what it is about autonomous midwifery practice I miss the most.
It was very easy to list the reasons why I left it. Today I received an email from a friend who manages to write it up beautifully.
I want to share her thoughts with you.

"Having come in from semi rural LMC work and moved to a city tertiary hospital I have so many questions, at times they are almost overwhelming.

 I left a workplace where I could instantly find anything I needed, a place where I could slip into a consultant paediatricians or obstetricians office and ask a question (any question, even question their practice or decision on a case), get an urgent appointment for any of the women I cared for, or have a cry if need be. If I required help in the middle of the night, a phone call got not only my backup, but whoever I needed and I never had to worry if the help that came was competent to the task before them (nor did I get more help than I needed). I was on first name basis with most GP's and half the CYPS social workers,  all the hospital social workers and could rely on the staff at ultrasound and the lab to phone me direct with any results, not to mention bail me out if I forgot to send in a form (I am only human).

I left a thriving LMC practice, autonomy, a place where I had earned a degree of respect in the community, and among colleagues with regard to my midwifery skills & knowledge. I left a role which I believe (when done with enthusiasm and passion), has the greatest opportunity of any health profession, to alter health outcomes not just for women and their infants but for whole communities - what other health professional is free (without cost) to the people using it, results in health professionals being invited into the homes of relatively healthy young people; from a complete cross section of society; over such an extended period (conception-6wks postnatal); with the opportunity to promote health and wellbeing?

I traded (sometimes I think my soul) for days off, regular hours, a regular (fixed) income, sick leave, holiday pay, tax at source and the ability to have the occasional glass of wine with dinner."