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Referrals(specialist) letter content

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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

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