IT'S by grim coincidence that the damning report on maternity services at Worcestershire's hospitals has been published as Nadia and Stephen Jones explain how their infant son, Harry, died.

Neither their story nor the comments made in the special review make easy reading.

It's not our intention to heap fear on parents-to-be at a time when they're already experiencing instinctive concerns.

Indeed, it's important to emphasise that the majority of families who put their health and happiness in the hands of medics across the county find their trust rewarded.

But the reality - tragically underpinned by Harry's death - is that our hospitals too often fall short of what's rightfully expected.

Since he took over the Worcestershire Hospitals Trust helm, we've been impressed by John Rostill's determination to be open-eyed and open-minded, as well as to work tirelessly to improve the organisation he inherited.

He says the picture will be very different in three months time.

We hope he'll be able to make the changes he needs - because thousands of families are placing their faith and futures in his hands.

On the subject of faith and trust, we must pay a brief but fulsome tribute to the men and women who saved the life of a teenage student in Snowdonia, yesterday.

As with doctors and nurses, we often take their courage and commitment for granted.

Not today, however. We salute you all.