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I have been very pleased by the encouragingly positive comments received in response to the first edition of the CME Journal in Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. I am also delighted that, thanks to the good offices of Dr Peter Toghill at the Royal College of Physicians, we now also have formal CME approval for those of you that complete the multiple choice questions and send them in to the journal’s address for marking. Full details of this appear elsewhere (page 61).

I am pleased also that the first Edition has prompted the spontaneous submission of a number of manuscripts. Unfortunately these have not always reflected the nature of the journal, which is essentially that of a review organ, rather than as an outlet for primary research findings. I think we are most likely to succeed in our ambitions if we keep reasonably closely to this ideal, but with a continuing eye to future evolution and development as time goes by. The principal exception to this general rule is the submission of case reports, of which any interesting examples, especially those that illustrate a teaching point, are likely to be considered very favourably. To those of you who have had manuscripts declined, I would ask that you help us with these ambitions and continue to suggest themes for new articles. These will always be gratefully received.

I must apologise to those of you that have been disappointed by your first visit to our web site. As you will have realised this is still under development, but should soon prove rather more interesting reading. Do please visit at http://www.rila.co.uk.

We feel very positive about the journal, and hope that our circulation is getting it to all potentially interested parties. If you are aware of established or trainee gastroenterologists who are not receiving their own copies please let us know.

We are already in expansionist mood, given an interest from our surgical colleagues to form a companion journal in coloproctology. We anticipate this being sent to all readers of the medical title and vice versa. This new title should be launched by late 1998.