BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE SOCIETY

With the advent of revamped website, it is important to reaffirm, both to old and prospective members, what the PCSG is there for.

We are the voice of primary care gastroenterology, a voice that is listened to by those who make decisions which affect primary care. As you all know, gastroenterology accounts for large numbers of consultations in primary care and the knock on effects in terms of drug prescribing are highly significant. Whether it is in terms of commissioning or clinical governance, we cannot leave decisions to be made without a primary care input. The PCSG is well placed to provide that advice not only through the committee members but also amongst our highly experienced membership.

Since our launch in 1985, the Society has forged strong links with several organisations both nationally and internationally. Bodies such as the British Society of Gastroenterology, the Royal College of Physicians NICE, and the RCGP all consult us regularly on gastroenterological subjects so that policies and guidelines can be influenced by primary care.

We are also representing those of you who endoscope, both in a primary care setting and in secondary care, on JAG and we are also developing processes of our own when it comes to revalidation and accreditation. In this way, we can make the process less secondary care led and relevant for our members. Amongst our committee members and our Society, we are well placed to offer advice to our members both involved and planning to be involved in primary care endoscopy.

It is important that all members have a voice in the Society and we hope to establish a website forum for discussion on various topics. The feedback from our members is essential for the health of the Society and we are sure you will want to take part.

GUIDELINES

The PCSG has issued evidence-based decision points in the management of Helicobacter pylori, the early detection of colo-rectal cancer and most recently the management of coeliac disease in primary care. Our aim is to produce guidelines backed by research evidence that are relevant and accessible to working general practitioners. Further guidelines are planned and all are available from the secretariat or from this website.

PROMOTING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN GENERAL PRACTICE

The Society also believes that, because the bulk of patients with gastroenterological disorders are managed in primary care, that there is a great opportunity for primary care based research. The Society holds an annual scientific meeting and also a session at the annual British Society of Gastroenterology meeting where original papers are presented and issues concerning gastroenterology in primary care are discussed and debated. A small number of research grants are awarded for suitable projects

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR PCSG MEMBERS.

Academic departments and pharmaceutical sponsors submit research projects involving primary care gastroenterology to the PCSG each year. They wish to find GPs with an interest in gastroenterology who are willing to take part.
If you might be interested in participating in some of these research projects, please could you email Dr Jamie Dalrymple via the secretariat the following details:

• Contact details[name, addresss, phone, fax, email]

• Brief Curriculum Vitae

• Any specific areas of clinical interest

• Brief details of research you have been involved in the last 3 years

We will contact interested colleagues when we have a project submitted to the PCSG.
Your personal information will be kept confidential and not released to a third party unless you express the wish to become involved in a specific project.

Committee Member Profiles

	Professor Roger Jones, President
	Dr Jamie Dalrymple, Chairman
	Dr John Galloway, Treasurer
	Dr Mark Follows, Secretary
	Dr Richard Stevens, Past Chairman
	Dr Richard Spence, Chair of Endoscopy Sub Committee
	Dr John O’Malley, Committee Member
	Dr Ragu Raghunath, Committee Member
	Dr Marion Sloan, Committee Member
	Dr Andrew Summers, Committee Member
	Dr Patrick Ward-Booth, Committee Member
<	Rachael Hodson, Committee Member
<	Stevan Fox, Committee Member