Audit on letters from psychiatrists to general practitioners following assessment of patients with learning disabilities in follow-up clinics

There have been no studies to date focusing on the quality of letters to GPs from follow-up clinics in Psychiatry of Learning Disability. In our initial audit, we identified that the following standards i.e. full list of current medication, patient's diagnosis, current mental state, follow-up arrangements and dispatching letters to GPs within one week of the clinic were important in the effective management of the patient by the GP. Completing the audit cycle enabled us to improve our clinical practice. We believe that the format, which was recommended after the initial audit, helps in the formulation of brief letters containing essential information to General Practitioners.