The nature of Addison’s disease means that mismanagement of our steroid medication could rapidly be fatal. Because people’s lives are ultimately at stake, we endeavour to maintain the highest standards of accuracy in ADSHG publications and we expect mass media outlets to do the same.

The early months of 2008 saw media coverage of Addison’s disease which contained medical misinformation. This misinformation could, potentially, lead to people with Addison’s being given the wrong treatment in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

From these experiences, the ADSHG has developed the following guidelines governing its contacts with the media.

• The ADSHG wishes to make it clear that we are a small charity, run on a voluntary basis by trustees contributing their time free of charge around other commitments. We are not medical practitioners and are unable to comment specifically on individual cases.

• We are not normally able to respond to media enquiries in under three working days.

• Where it can, the ADSHG will assist accredited staff journalists. We regret, we are unable to assist freelance journalists.

• Where ADSHG members are to be interviewed, interviews will be conducted on the following basis:

1. The interviewee is understood to be speaking on the basis of their personal experiences of living with Addison’s and not as a medical expert on the nature of the condition.

2. A written list of questions will be submitted to the interviewee and a nominated representative of the ADSHG trustees in advance.

3. A witness will be present.

4. A tape recording will be made.

5. The interviewee will be able to request at any stage that the interview should stop immediately.

6. The interviewee and the nominated ADSHG representative will be sent the draft copy/recording to check for accuracy and any amendments they request will be accommodated.

7. The feature will not be published or broadcast until the interviewee and nominated ADSHG representative are satisfied that it is accurate and balanced and have given their consent to publish.

• If you would like comment on a story from a medical professional, we suggest you contact the Society for Endocrinology, which has a press office that deals with all endocrine conditions including Addison’s.

(Please note that the Society for Endocrinology is unable to provide case studies).

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