ABSTRACT
Clinical communication is primarily concerned with smoothing the path of clinical care. A general medical practitioner (GMP) usually has sole responsibility for the care of each individual patient and has, effectively, autonomous authority in matters of clinical care and clinical management. The term ‘general’ is a misnomer, for the GMP is, in reality, a highly specialised expert in family medicine and has a substantial knowledge of many specialties. However, there comes a time in the life of most patients when highly specialised care in another branch of medicine is necessary and the patient has to be transferred to the care of a hospital consultant, as an inpatient. If an investigative procedure or surgical operation is required, the patient will usually give written consent to such procedure or operation. When the patient has been investigated or treated, he is returned to the care of his GMP. Three processes have thus been defined: referral, consent and discharge. Each is of great medico-legal importance, each should be carefully documented and close examination of the documentation involved in the processes is appropriate. In an emergency admission, following a road traffic accident (RTA), it is obvious that there is no formal transfer letter.
