The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) Working Group V has recommended that, as a general guiding principle, emphasis should be placed on the quality of a report and not on its source. Thus, the value of a report lies not in who made it, but in the care and thoroughness with which it is prepared, documented, received, recorded, followed-up, clarified and analysed (8). However, the source of a report can be an important factor in evaluating the report as it may affect the quality and value of the information. The nature, degree and even feasibility of any follow-up will also be highly dependent on the source.