2 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Patient-focused correspondence

Recommendation

We recommend that it should be standard practice that consultants in both the NHS and the independent sector should write to patients, outlining their condition and treatment, in simple language, and copy this letter to the patient's GP, rather than writing to the GP and sending a copy to the patient.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Government Response (December 2021), the government accepted this recommendation, and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges updated its 'Please write to me' guidance in 2018 to emphasise writing directly to patients in simple language, with a copy sent to their GP. According to the Government Response (December 2021), NHS England is working to embed this practice across the health service. No further specific published evidence detailing the progress of embedding this practice has been identified since the 2021 response.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted Department of Health and Social Care
16 Dec 2021

Accepted. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges updated their 2018 guidance 'Please write to me' in light of this recommendation. Guidance emphasises writing directly to patients, copying in GPs, using clear language. NHS England is working to embed this practice across the health service. (Source: Government Response, December 2021)

Source
Inquiry Paterson Inquiry
Report Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Issues raised by Paterson 04 Feb 2020
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care Primary
Themes & Tags
GP Continuity of Care Breakdown No person-centred care Communication Patients Letters GP GPs
Recommendation age 6.1 yrs
Last formal update 1559 days ago