The referral letter
A layout the reader can act on.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Writing
You get 5 minutes to read the case notes and 40 minutes to write, usually a referral letter (sometimes a transfer, discharge or advice letter). The body should be about 180–200 words.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: What do assessors check first?
- Purpose: can the reader tell why they are receiving the letter?
- Handwriting
- The number of medical terms
Show the answer
A: Purpose: can the reader tell why they are receiving the letter? — State the purpose in the opening paragraph.
Quick check: About how long should the body of the letter be?
- 50 words
- 400 words
- 180–200 words
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C: 180–200 words — Include only what the reader needs.
Quick check: What goes in the Re: line?
- Your own name
- The patient's name
- The hospital's address
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B: The patient's name — Re: Mrs Carter tells the reader at once who the letter is about.