My choice for this issue is “Guideline for the Prevention of Oral and Oro-pharyngeal Mucositis in Children Receiving Treatment for Cancer or Undergoing Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation” by Dr Lillian Sung and an extensive international list of authors. Although paediatric oncology and haematology may be a minority interest among our readers, this paper stands out as an example of that most useful of studies, an account of the best evidence available on an important clinical issue.

The sunset on the cover, is not an homage to 1970s UK hospice publications; it signals that after 6 years, this is my last issue of BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care as Editor-in-Chief. I would like to start by thanking the editorial team who were so helpful in the launch and early years of the journal's life. Irene Higginson and Eduardo Bruera gave considerable support as Associate Editors at a time when attracting authors to a new journal was difficult. Matthew Hotopf and Pal Klepstad were instrumental in setting early standards in supportive care …