Contents – September 2005

News

ASCOT study prompts NICE and BHS to review hypertension guidance

GPs and patients reap the benefits of first year of new GMS contract

Personal View

Time for a rethink on blood pressure lowering therapy

New study findings will have important implications for the management of patients with hypertension, says Dr Alan Begg

New Guidelines: Review

NICE guideline will help GPs to identify patients with PTSD

Recent guidance should ensure that sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder receive the therapy they need, as Dr Peter Saul explains

New GP Contract

Asthma indicators can improve quality of life for patients

Well run practices are seizing the opportunities offered by the new contract to optimise the care they offer asthma patients, says Dr Peter Saul

New GP Contract

Good working practices are key to practice management indicators

Dr Nigel Watson discusses how practices in his area have fared in meeting the challenges posed by the medicines management indicators

Medico-legal Issues in Practice

Making decisions on withholding and withdrawing treatment

Patients have the right to refuse treatment but not to demand it under any circumstances. Dr Gerard Panting considers the GMC guidance on this complex issue

New Series: IT in Practice

High quality data form the cornerstone to improved patient care

Entering accurate information into your computer is essential not only for healthy practice finances but for good patient care too, as Dr Gillian Braunold explains

Focus on CME

Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 48

Write the answers in the spaces provided, then cut out the pages and put them in your personal development plan

NICE Referral Guide

NICE referral summaries

Meetings & Conferences

Diary of events

Please let us know of your forthcoming meetings and workshops for inclusion in our events diary

Out of Hours

Back to basics ... again

Dr Phil Hammond, broadcaster and GP returner in Bristol