I am the proud owner of a new laptop! Last evening between setting the chilli con carne to cook and then eating it I went to a local electrical store and collected it. I might tell you (and yes I am biased) that it is a pretty good machine, well it will do what I need it to do and what is more as is often the case with things electrical it is about half the price, half the weight, slicker, faster and has more storage than my last one. I know this is all a bit geeky, but as someone who can surf pretty aimlessly for hours (all in a good cause usually of course) I have really missed it and it is good to be back in the land of the blog.

My work this week takes me into the realm of antenatal and post natal screening. It is amazing that we can detect so many serious conditions through a simple blood test either from the mother or from the baby by a heel prick at birth. Introducing a new disease to be screened for does though cause discussion to take place at the most detailed level, which is important because everyone needs to know the processes involved but sometimes you are left wondering if people like the sound of their own voices.

Today I am organising the local maternity services liaison committee (MSLC), which every area has to have so that health professionals and those using (or formerly using the services) and others interested in all things baby can get together. Anywhere where you get such a diverse group of people together is extremely likely to be the source of a future blog post. Dare I say that it is more entertaining than being in a room with 25 doctors, midwives and health visitors, particularly where the seats are none too comfortable and the room would be more suitable for about 10. But that is all part of lifes rich tapestry isn’t it?