Audit on the Quality of Outpatient Letters From Cherrywood Clinic

AIMS: Letters between secondary and primary care are an integral part of continuity of patient care. It is crucial letters are comprehensible, focused and useful. The quality of letters can be of a variable standard, we aim to see if the letters sent from Cherrywood clinic are in line with the Royal College guidance. METHODS: 1. Demographic Details including Name, Date of Birth, Address and the Date of Appointment. 2. Who was the patient been seen by; Consultant or Junior doctor (FY/GPST/CT/SPR). 3. Current diagnosis. 4. Current medication including doses. 5. Mental State Examination (MSE) findings. 6. An update of the current problem(s). 7. Current/relevant Risks. 8. Plan/recommendations. 9. Follow-up plans. RESULTS: Of the Consultant letters the diagnosis, medication and dosage was mentioned in 93%, 93% and 90% respectively. Mental state was found in 66%, risks in 83% and follow-up plans in 96%. Most of the content derived from the registrar letters were unremarkable; with 80% in MSE in the 5 audited letters. In the Junior doctor letters; the diagnosis was mentioned in 88% of letters, medication and dosage 76%, mental state 100%, risks 80%, follow-up 100%. CONCLUSION: Documentation of the MSE. The medication and the dosages. Diagnosis. Risks should always be present. The areas which require improvement are the areas which are essential for GPs to safely manage psychiatric patients in the community.