Contents December 2001
News
NSF for Diabetes due out by end of the year
Implementing evidence is far from straightforward for GPs
NHS must fund treatments recommended by NICE
Personal View
SIGN diabetes guideline receives warm welcome
GP Dr Matthew Lockyer explains why he is impressed by the new SIGN diabetes guideline and how it will affect his practice
Guideline Implementation
GP strategy helps PCG deliver NSF standards on osteoporosis
Dr Alun Cooper describes how his practice strategy for identifying patients at high risk of osteoporosis is aiding implementation of the NSF for Older People
Beacon Awards
GP ophthalmology clinic benefits primary and secondary care
GP Dr Tim Smith describes his in-house ophthalmology clinic which has reduced waiting times for an opinion and cut inappropriate referrals
Medico-legal Issues in General Practice
How to deal with violent and abusive patients
Dr Gerard Panting explains how GPs can minimise the risk of violence against staff, and discusses the legal remedies available when faced with a violent patient
Patient Group Directions
How to draw up a PGD for meningococcal vaccine for travellers
Jane Chiodini discusses the meningitis vaccines available for travellers, and explains why pilgrims travelling to the Hajj or Umrah must have the quadrivalent vaccine
Focus on CME
Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 4
Write the answers in the spaces provided, then cut out the pages and put them in your personal development plan
Key Organisations
The National Guidelines and Audit Patient Involvement Unit
Dr Marcia Kelson, Director, National Guidelines and Audit Patient Involvement Unit
Electronic Communication
Using clinical coding systems to best effect in electronic records
Dr Nigel Watson discusses the clinical coding systems available and the benefits of using coded entries with appropriate free text in electronic patient records
eGuidelines
eGuidelines update
Guidelines, Guidelines in Practice, the CLIP database and related information online at eguidelines.co.uk
CLIP database
Clinical Improvements Online Database
Locality initiatives in central nervous system disorders can be found online at eguidelines.co.uk/clip
Your Problems Solved: Information Technology
Our panel of experts answer questions on IT
Dr Nigel Watson answers some frequently asked questions on IT in general practice
Out of Hours
Why patient choice could cost you money
Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster
