THE latest technology to save babies’ lives is being pioneered in East Lancashire. Parents will be able to find out whether their child is healthy using the state-of-the-art INFANT system.

It can also detect any abnorm-alities and alert midwives and obstetricians.

The Royal Blackburn Hospital’s central delivery suite is piloting the programme. If successful, medics at Oxford University will embark on national trials, involving thousands of mothers across 12 hospitals.

Almost 200 women have given their consent to take part in the study since it was launched in January. This new monitoring device has come just the right time as the NHS in East Lancashire has been rocked by the results of staff survey.

It showed that only a half of staff working at Blackburn and Burnley hospitals would be happy to have a friend or relative treated there.

But this shows that our hospitals truly are at the forefont of medical science and has dedicated staff who are determined to provide the best care possible.

Hopefully, parents will be more reassured at what should be the happiest moment of their lives.