How it works
You get case notes about a patient and a task, usually to refer the patient to another professional, or to write a discharge or transfer letter. You have 5 minutes to read and 40 minutes to write. The letter body should be about 180–200 words.
What's assessed
Purpose, content, conciseness and clarity, genre and style, organisation and layout, and language. In plain English: is the reason for the letter clear early, did you include only what the reader needs, and is it well organised and accurate?
A reliable structure
- Recipient details and date, as in the task.
- Re: Patient name, age
- Opening paragraph: who the patient is and why you're writing. Put the request here, not at the end.
- Background: relevant history and the current problem.
- Current management: treatment so far and how the patient responded.
- Request: what you'd like the reader to do, and any urgency.
- Closing and sign-off.
Choosing what to include
Ask: does the reader need this to act?
- Include: the current problem, relevant history, medications that matter, allergies, recent results, and social factors that affect care.
- Leave out: old, resolved issues, and normal results unless they're relevant.
- Transform notes into sentences: "BP 160/95, ↑ since last visit" becomes Her blood pressure has risen to 160/95.
Short example opening
Dear Dr Nguyen,
Re: Mrs Alice Harper, aged 72
I am writing to refer Mrs Harper, who has had worsening shortness of breath on exertion over the past three weeks, for your assessment and management of suspected heart failure.
Notice the purpose comes in the very first sentence.
Check your length
Common mistakes
- Copying the case notes in note form.
- Putting the request only in the last paragraph.
- Including every detail "just in case".
- Inconsistent tone. Keep it professional and polite throughout.