Policy for GP letters in the Emergency Department
A standard GP letter for patients discharged after assessment from the department is in a duplicate book. One copy is sent to the General Practitioner and the other is filed with the Emergency Department chart for departmental record. (Not left in the yellow book as these are filed for a short time then distroyed).
The following patients discharged from the Emergency Department should have General Practitioner letters forwarded to their current GPs:
- All Patients discharged from the Emergency Department that are referred for assessment by a GP.
- All prisoners that attend the Emergency Department escorted by prison officers must have a letter forwarded to the Medical officer for that prison.
- All Patients under the age of eighteen years and over the age of 65 years must have a GP letter posted to their GP.
- If a competent patient does not wish to inform their GP of their attendance no letter should be sent. However, the reason for this should be explored.
