Contents November 2001
News
NICE issues guidance on sibutramine
GPs make good progress in implementing NSF for CHD
Whooping cough booster for preschool children
Editorial
Guidance on sibutramine presents a challenge to GPs
Dr Ian Campbell, Chair of the National Obesity Forum and a GP in Nottingham
In Reply
Forward planning can ease the strain of flu campaigns
Tim Smith's article prompts GP Dr Chris Barclay to think carefully about how to improve his flu campaign
Personal View
Sound nursing care is the key to preventing pressure sores
The RCN guideline on pressure ulcer prevention is as relevant in the community as in hospital, says Dr Kevin Ilsley
Guideline Development
RCN guideline aims to reduce prevalence of pressure ulcers
Jo Rycroft-Malone describes the development of the RCN's evidence-linked interdisciplinary guideline on risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers
Locality Initiative
Nurse-led smoking cessation group proves successful
Penny Russ describes how 'SmokeStop', a practice-based smoking cessation programme, was so effective that its strategy was adopted across the locality
Shared Care Initiative
Patient-held diabetes record promotes seamless shared care
Drs Melanie Davies and Mary Quinn describe how a patient-held Filofax-style management plan benefits patients with diabetes, GPs and hospital physicians
Focus on CME
Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 3
Write the answers in the spaces provided, then cut out the pages and put them in your personal development plan
Beacon Awards
Primary care clinic targets men's health
Dr Mike Kirby describes how his practice set up a well man clinic that focuses on improving the health of men in middle age
Electronic Communication
How does the Data Protection Act 1998 affect general practice?
Dr Nigel Watson outlines the new requirements for the storage and use of data under the Data Protection Act 1998 and discusses the implications for GPs
Patient Group Directions
How to draw up a PGD for meningitis C vaccine in children
Jane Chiodini, immunisation nurse specialist, discusses the different meningococcal vaccines available, and how to draw up a PGD for their administration
Medico-legal Issues in General Practice
How to avoid pitfalls when giving advice over the telephone
Dr Gerard Panting discusses what steps GPs should take when conducting a telephone consultation to try to ensure a successful outcome
eGuidelines
eGuidelines update
New and updated clinical guideline summaries from Volume 15 of Guidelines can now be found on eGuidelines
CLIP database
Clinical Improvements Online Database
The CLIP database contains many cardiovascular projects, which are tackling the requirements of the NSF
Your Problems Solved: Medico-legal Issues
Our panel of experts answer medico-legal questions
Dr Gerard Panting, of the Medical Protection Society, answers questions on medico-legal issues in general practice
Out of Hours
Guidelines on tackling aggressive patients
Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster
