This course teaches you to write clinical letters, emails, referrals and messages that are clear, accurate and professional, following UK expectations. It covers structure, plain English, writing to patients, confidentiality and email etiquette, with worked before-and-after examples you can apply straight away.
What you will learn
- Structure a clinical letter, referral or discharge communication so the reader can find the key information and actions quickly.
- Apply plain English principles, including avoiding unexplained abbreviations and jargon, when writing to patients and colleagues.
- Write professional emails and messages that are concise, courteous and safe, including clear requests and deadlines.
- Apply UK data protection and confidentiality principles to written communication, including choosing secure channels and minimising personal data.
- Identify and correct common weaknesses in tone, accuracy and clarity in written clinical communication.
Course content
- Why written communication matters (2 min)
- Structuring clinical letters and referrals (3 min)
- Plain English and writing to patients (2 min)
- Professional emails and messages (3 min)
- Confidentiality and data protection in writing (2 min)
- Clinical record entries and responding to complaints (3 min)
- Case study: a discharge summary (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024), including communicating clearly and keeping records
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including communicating clearly and keeping clear and accurate records
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024), including communicating appropriately and effectively
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017), including communicating effectively
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges: Please, write to me (guidance on writing outpatient clinic letters to patients)
- UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018; the Caldicott Principles
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.