Are written responses to referrals acceptable?

Editor—Tso et al highlight the value of written advice to help the primary care team deal with uncertainty.¹ The rise in the use of blood tests for monitoring chronic disease means that general practitioners are increasingly faced with slightly abnormal results in patients who otherwise seem well. Clearly referral of these patients is not feasible—the services would be overwhelmed and patients would be unnecessarily put through the anxiety of a hospital appointment.

Therefore, if advice is needed, why not pick up the telephone and speak directly to the laboratory? I have received valuable help this way and have learnt to manage similar conditions in the future. Laboratories (and other specialties) might like to consider a daily advice hour in the same way that some general practices have a telephone consultation session. Both primary and secondary care could benefit.