Copying Letters to Patients: Views of Professionals Working with People with Learning Disability

Abstract

The National Health Service Plan (DoH, 2000) requires that patients receive copies of correspondence between health professionals about them, as of right. Patients with learning disabilities are not exempt from this rule. Copying letters to patients with learning disabilities is undoubtedly going to be challenging and complex for professionals working with them and, because of the heterogeneous nature of this group, specific guidelines need to be in place to support professionals in this task. The aim of the study was to ascertain the views of various professionals working in learning disability teams, on the copying of clinical letters to patients and their carers. The majority of respondents commented that, if letters are copied to patients with learning disabilities, then the persons may find it difficult to understand them, and a separate ‘simpler’ letter may need to be sent. Despite expressing concerns about this policy, the majority stated that they will be sending copies of letters regularly in their clinical practice in the future.