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Managing patients’ information in a community mental health team

PO59, Institute of Psychiatry, DeCrespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, e-mail: r.uher{at}iop.kcl.ac.uk

Clive Timehin, Consultant Psychiatrist

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, Crescent Resource Centre, Salcot Crescent, New Addington, CR0 0JJ

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To explore current practice in offering patients copies of correspondence, we audited the documentation of 422 patients of a community mental health team.

RESULTS

Discussion about copying letters was documented in 194 case notes (46%); older patients and those with medically unexplained physical symptoms were less likely to be offered copies. There were 159 patients (82%) that wanted to receive copies of letters; male gender was associated with declining this option. In 167 (87%) instances the professional completing the form was a psychiatrist.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Older patients need to be offered the opportunity to receive correspondence. Clinicians should record and substantiate their decision not to offer copies of letters to some patients. Professionals other than psychiatrists should be encouraged to discuss copying letters with patients.