While the majority of patients have been screened for blood-borne viruses, a minority of those infected with HCV have had subsequent investigations or treatment. New interventions to facilitate optimum care in this regard need to be considered.

GPs and receptionists in this sample had mixed views about methadone maintenance which were unchanged by six months experience of the service. The study illustrates important issues in the recruitment and support of general practice in meeting this need.

GPs are notified rapidly of deaths in all groups and causes. In the majority, the GP has had recent clinical contact and has often been heavily involved in care. Most deaths and care occur outside the cancer-related sphere.

This paper provides evidence that general practice in Ireland is a setting in which medical students can both encounter a wide range of clinical problems and engage in active learning processes.

The limited consultant supervision and small numbers of NCHDs in training for A&E medicine raise concerns about staffing. Most hospitals want GPs to work in their A&E departments. This has implications for training and for the interface between general practice and the A & E department.