WRITING REFERRAL LETTER OUTLINE:

1. The main reason why you are writing the referral letter.
2. The current situation of the patient.
3. The current medication you are prescribing the patient (if there's any).
4. Medical history of the patient.
5. Your conclusion of the patient's situation.
6. Your request for the next doctor.
EXAMPLE REFERRAL LETTER
Dr. Smart
Doctors surgery
Australia

Specialist
Specialist Clinic
Australia

Dear Mr. Specialist,

Re: Mrs. Jones, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney

Thank you for seeing Agnetha Jones, 67 years old, regarding severe ongoing
osteoarthritic pain in the knee possibly requiring knee replacement.

Current medicines:
● Paracetamol 4g daily
● Naproxen 500 mg BID

I have given Mrs. Jones advice regarding <medicine> and advice that <medicine> will
be ceased prior to scheduled surgery/ will be tapered to <dose> prior to scheduled
surgery/cannot be stopped or reduced and will therefore require further consideration.

In addition, Mrs. Jones has had the following investigations to assess her fitness for
surgery.
● Full Blood count:
● Iron studies
● Serum Ferritin: <insert result> Serum Iron: <insert result> Transferrin: <insert
result>
● <other test results>

Based on these results I have determined that Mrs. Jones is fit for surgery/requires
treatment with iron replacement therapy. Mrs. Jones will be initiated on <insert agent>
and reviewed again 4 weeks prior to the scheduled surgery.

Could I request that a planned surgery timeline be forwarded to me to assist with patient
preparation as well as any feedback regarding this patient’s test results or current
medicines?

Regards,