> Sorry. SNIP of explanatory actions
Hey don't waste the white space - its only Hotch ;-)
> The point of my asking is that there is controversy in my practice as to
how private
> letters are most safely dealt with.
A good topic - dont bother with surveys - just coz we all do it wrong,
dosent mean you should
> When patients are asked to collect them, they sometimes forget and then
> harangue us for not sending a letter to Mr. Snooks. If we send the
> letter direct a different patient then complains that they prefer to
> collect it.
This issue is about more than just opting for the course that generates
least complaints though.
My practice has been to agree the consultant the referral is going to at the
time of the consultation. Give them the name and contact number written down
with instructions to pick up the letter after 5 working days. HOWEVER had a
haematuria who didn't pick up the letter and just waited 8 weeks for the
appointment before coming back to us. Yep he had a bladder tumour,
aggressive and invasive and has had cystectomy and reconstruction. The
patient didn't complain, BUT I felt I had failed in a duty of care for what
is a serious sign.
So I now post referrals and fax &post urgent or serious sign type ones
directly and ask patient to make contact as well. That way I guess the
consultant takes a share of medical responsibilty (Not sure if this would
stand up legally - so I'll post a copy to our man in Liverpool ;-)
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