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What is the reason for writing?

I am writing to refer Mr X for care and support.

I am writing to refer Mr X for follow-up care.

I am writing to refer Mr X into your care

I am writing to transfer Mr X back into your care.

I am writing to transfer Mr X for rehabilitation.

• Remember that you explain the reason for the letter at the beginning but only as a
summary.
• The details of what you are requesting will be written in the final paragraph.

[Paragraph 1: Why are you writing the letter?]

I am writing to refer Mr X for ongoing care and support/for further assessment/for management of...
He suffers/is suffering/has been suffering from/ … and requires physiotherapy, follow up
care/personal assistance/your opinion/further diagnosis….

[Paragraph 2: More details about the key issues/What treatment in hospital/)

Mr X was admitted/presented to the hospital on (date)/in (Nov 2017)/6 weeks ago………for (a

checkup)/ with symptoms of/suffering from/ complaining of/with a complaint of….after a (heart
attack /car accident/ hypoglycaemic attack /with signs of/with a 3 week history of shortness of
breath ….for which he was/has been treated with……

On admission,/he was suffering from/ she had been suffering from ……..for/since……/he was
assessed for/diagnosed with ... he was also reviewed by the physio /occupational therapist /
dietician and he had an ECG which indicated possible…./had an x-ray which detected…….. /

During hospitalisation,/While in hospital he underwent/has undergone ....... / received/has

received/…………….treatment for………………..

While in hospital, Mr X had an episode of chest pain which was treated with GTN spray/developed a
wound infection / has had a chest infection which has now resolved. (still in hospital, ready to leave)

Operations/surgery/interventions: An arthroplasty was performed. He underwent/had a total right

knee replacement/a vaginal hysterectomy.

(Uncountable nouns) : surgery/treatment/care/rehabilitation/physiotherapy/pain/advice (no a)

[Paragraph 3: General relevant history/medications/ relevant social history or notes.

Please note/Please be aware that she is allergic to…… He has no known allergies

He reported no history of …../he has a history of…..

She has been suffering from living with dementia/Alzheimer’s/diabetes for …../since….
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Her current medications include/she has been prescribed/she was prescribed…Mylanta and
paracetamol (capital letters for brand names but not for generic drugs)

He was given….followed by, in addition to, combined with/until needed.

Recovery: She has been able to …..with assistance; since the operation her wounds have healed and
sutures have been removed; her post-operative recovery was successful, uncomplicated, normal.

Complications: She has difficulty using a walking frame, dressing. She has been able/unable to walk,
take a shower, dress without assistance

Her short-term memory has worsened while here/ her Alzheimer’s has progressed rapidly; her
general condition has deteriorated. (still in hospital)

The patient will be discharged today/is to be discharged ……..

[Paragraph 4: What do you want the specialist/doctor to do. (discharge plan)]

I would be grateful if you could/I would appreciate if you could provide/monitor….

It would be appreciated if you could……

I would appreciate your further assessment and management/treatment of../regarding….

I would be grateful for your opinion regarding….

Could you also………..... Would you also.............. Finally, could you .....

If you could please assess this patient

If you could arrange an appointment with ….

Could you also follow up the appointment with the physiotherapist that has been made for Mrs X on
at /

Closing sentence. ( stock sentence e.g. )

Should you require any further details, /If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me/do
not hesitate to contact me)

Yours sincerely,

[your name]

[title e.g. Registered Nurse /Charge Nurse]