I was one of many who tuned into BBC 4 last night to see our wonderful Hewitt Fertility Centre feature on the 'Baby Makers' documentary.
It is quite normal for Chief Executives to be slightly nervous whenever something about their Trust is going to be aired, as it is often difficult to anticipate how the public will respond. I needn't have worried, 'Baby Makers' was an opportunity for the Hewitt Fertility Centre to shine and it did so, wonderfully.
The centre itself, which is a lovely environment, looked absolutely fantastic on screen, but the stars of the show were undoubtedly our staff.
I was filled with an immense sense of pride as each member of the team that was introduced to the camera spoke with a warm sincerity about their experiences, whilst demonstrating an obvious and infectious passion for their job.
The harsh realities of the work the team do were highlighted by the stories of three of the four couples whose story the documentary followed. But whilst the centre has perhaps only been able to give a percentage of its patients the outcome that they so desperately crave, it has no doubt found a place in the heart of a great deal more; such is the level of care and compassion given to each and every couple whose fertility journey brings them here.
There was joy for one of the couples though, and I'm sure that I'm not alone in being able to admit that there was a tear or two of happiness as the result of their pregnancy test was so joyfully celebrated by the Fraser family. Baby Benjamin, a baby they had maybe started to believe they would never have, was born last month, just in time for Christmas.
On behalf of the Trust I would like to thank all four couples, the Dickens, Henneys, Brotherstones and Frasers, whose involvement was vital in order for the documentary to go ahead, I sincerely wish each couple the best of luck in the future.
I'd also like to thank Professor Charles Kingsland and the rest of our amazing team up on the Hewitt Fertility Centre, not only for embracing the idea of this programme with a smile on their faces, but for proving me correct in my belief that, in their field, nobody does it better.