Over the last week events going on a few miles from me at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford have preoccupied me. My close friend and fellow director, Mike Hill was involved in a very serious car accident last Sunday with his wife, Anthea. Mike broke his shoulder but Anthea came out of it much worse, with several breaks to her spine and neck and spending most of last week in intensive care and under sedation. 
Its been an anxious time for all, particularly of course for the immediate family. How do friends show their concern and gain reassurance at a time like this without being a nuisance or an unnecessary burden?
Well, blogging and Google video, in the trauma of this situation seems to have come to the rescue. Oli Hume, Mike's PA in Bristol, quickly recognised that the need for up-to-date information for all who were anxious and praying for the Hills could be met by a blog. Now we can all see progress and comment with messages of support.
However, Mike went further on Saturday evening by posting a short video. It was great see my old friend prevailing through this awful time. And again, blog technology has come to be used in a surprising way.
Surely this speaks volumes about using this sort of medium with stakeholders in a period of crisis, when events can change quite rapidly. It heads off anxiety and rumour as well as taking unnecessary pressure of the very people who find themselves in the eye of the storm.
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