The implications of providing patient-friendly letters in the outpatient clinic

Abstract

During the past decade the government has implemented several schemes to modernise health care provision to the general public. One such initiative has been to increase patient involvement in the health care they receive. The NHS Plan in 2000 demonstrated a commitment to empower patients through increased communication with the health care professionals, stating that 'letters between clinicians about an individual patient's care will be copied to the patient as of right' from April 2004.