The SIRC / RI Guidelines have now been formally approved by Lord Wakeham, Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. This means that the Guidelines can be used as a basis of formulating complaints about innaccurate or misleading health and science stories, and can be taken into account when adjudications are made.

With this very solid endorsement we are now starting the 'implementation' phase of the Guidelines. This will involve, initially, a series of briefings, seminars and workshops which will bring together journalists, health professionals and scientists to explore the issues in a non-confrontational way.

This and other future activities will be managed within an indendent charitable body, the 'Health and Science Communication Trust', which is in the process of being formed. Further details of this and the sources of initial funding will be available on our web site in May.

We would like to thank our Forum members and all those who have provided valuable comments during the development of the Guidelines. Additional input is still very much welcome and should be directed to Dr Peter Marsh: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.