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Contents – August 2003

News

NICE guideline aims to raise standards of care for patients with heart failure
SIGN to launch primary care guideline on managing alcohol abuse

Personal View

Guideline will help GPs to identify sleep apnoea

Daytime tiredness can have serious consequences so it is important to find the underlying cause, says Dr Peter Saul

In Reply

How wise is it for patients to see referral letters?

Letting patients see their referral letters may do more harm than good, argues Dr Sandra Winterton

Guideline Development

SIGN guideline will raise awareness of cutaneous melanoma

The SIGN guideline should help to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with melanoma through early detection, says Dr Graham Duncan

Patient Group Directions

Setting up a PGD for poliomyelitis vaccine

Polio has been eradicated in many parts of the world but is still endemic in some areas, so immunisation is as essential as ever, as Jane Chiodini explains

Medico-legal Issues in General Practice

How to avoid the pitfalls when taking on extracurricular activities

Whether you take on the role of medical officer at a pop concert or expert witness in a trial you need to be prepared, says Dr Gerard Panting of the MPS

Focus on CME

Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 24

Download the PDF, answer the questions and keep the pages in your personal development plan

Test your Guidelines knowledge

Win a 2-night stay for two at The Big Sleep Hotel, Cardiff

How well do you know the SIGN guideline on cutaneous melanoma?

Out of Hours

Is online prescribing the way forward?

Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster