National survey of UK clinical guidelines for the management of coronary heart disease, lung and breast cancer, asthma and depression

There is anecdotal evidence of a plethora of guidelines developed throughout the NHS. A national survey was carried out between March and June 1995 to identify the number of clinical guidelines produced in the UK in the clinical areas of coronary heart disease, asthma, breast cancer, lung cancer and depression. The response to the survey ranged from 95% (interest groups) to 10% (Ministry of Defence and prison hospitals). Four hundred and seventy two guidelines were identified in the survey. Most had been produced locally, only 21 guidelines were classified as national. Results confirm that there is a proliferation of guidelines in most parts of the UK. The survey illustrates the difficulties involved in conducting a UK survey of this kind, and highlights the need for national guideline coordination.