As a rule, Internet “chat rooms” and discussion fora are not characterised by dazzling intellect or life changing information. The right message board however, can be a source of interesting exchange and a valuable resource for recruiting volunteers and canvassing views.

The Doctors.net forum has had mixed reviews, but for the most part, doctors seem to like the facility even if they don’t always find the content of the postings particularly edifying. With this in mind, the BGS has responded to several requests for the BGS discussion forum/message board to be reinstated on the BGS website. Please note that if the Board is not used, it will be removed. No forum is better than a dead forum.

At the time of writing, there are 13 members registered on the BGS Discussion forum. Current themes include: Primary and Continuing Care (with sub-threads on the SAP and Rehabilitation); and the Trainees sections. Any BGS member may apply to have new categories started, be it a forum for a particular geographical region, interest group or single issue. Contact me through the usual channels for more detail. Reproduced below are a couple of postings on the board, calling for members’ views and assistance. I invite BGS members to visit the forum and a) respond to those colleagues requesting feedback and b) use it to raise issues of their own.

Dave Beaumont
Editor