referrals(specialist) letter content
Last reviewed 01/2018
Consultants need the following information in GP's referral letters:
- presenting problem
- history of presenting problem
- examination findings
- current drug treatment esp geriatric and ophthalmology
- allergies
- previous treatment of presenting problems and outcomes
- past medical history
- social circumstances
- results of investigations
- reason for referral
- expectation of follow-up
- urgency of referral It will often not be relevant to include all these items and the information required will vary between specialties.
ref: M Roland & A Coulter, Hospital Referrals, Oxford 1992