letters from consultants

Frequently I found that my previous occupation was mentioned- in other words, mind what you say, this one knows too much and will query anything that you say- you cannot fob her off.

Ooh I'd worry about being referred to as 'friendly lady'!

We asked our GP about consultants letters some time back and he confirmed that ‘Pleasant gentleman’, ‘friendly lady’ etc are all code but he wouldn’t tell us what they stood for.

DH was described as "This lovely gentleman" in one letter - great hilarity ensued His regular consultant has known us for years now and and always uses our names in letters. He is also used to lengthy negotiations about treatment!

I thought I had stumbled across a code when I was in hospital for a few days recently. At handover time, the nurse going off duty said to her successor on the watch "This is Grumppa, he's independent." I immediately took this to mean that I was a stubborn old bugger, and was disappointed to find that it just meant that I could wash myself and didn't carry a plastic bag plumbed in to my heaven know's what.

When my H's heart consultant suggested in a letter that he should go onto warfarin, I googled the risks, benefits etc for a man of his age and at the consultation I told him my views, he was furious and referred to me sarcastically as "Dr" and discharged us from his clinic.
I would love to hear how he referred to us in his report to the GP, it wouldn't have been flattering.

When my health deteriorated a few years ago and I was visiting various consultants, my GP said to me, "I bet they all love you, you are such an interesting patient, much better than all the boring cases they have to deal with."

Oh dear, one of DH's consultants described us as an intelligent couple!! Wonder what that means, asks too many questions, insists on detailed replies, takes notes lol!!

Trust him to be common .

Pleasant is the commonest word I believe - it’s just a funny old convention isn’t it? Delightful sounds nice

Oh dear ... was there ever a TG Jane10 ?
Or a CDWLSW ?
Or worse TWAN ?

FLK= funny looking kid.
GOKW= God only knows what
NFF= normal for Fife.
These are only some of the acronyms I've come across in medical notes. They're not allowed any more of course.

When DD1 left home I collected her notes from our GP which she wanted to take with her. I read them through as she had been seen by a consultant before having her tonsils out.
he had written 'typical thin, pale English girl'
That was 1975.

I think they have some sort of secret shorthand which is then covered up by these other descriptions.

I've been described as a 'delightful colleague', well that was when I was working, the latest letter describes me as a pleasant older lady.

I was once described as "this delightful doctor's wife" - we really do need a "finger-down-throat" icon!

Oh I’ll bear that one in mind wildswan

"thank you for seeing this interesting lady ..." means the GP hasn't got a clue and wants the consultant to work it out.

Oh that’s a bit strong MissA .

I would love to see a list of codes .

My grandma used to think that the consultants really adored her when they wrote things like “delightful” or “remarkable” on her letters . Always made her feel like the queen .

There was a similar thread a while ago, and someone's son was described as 'wholly unremarkable' or something like that. Really made me laugh!

A friend was described as 'this spritely older gentleman'. He took exception to being called older.

I've been described as 'pleasant'. I felt vaguely offended.

She was obviously a delightful young lady and behaved impeccably. A credit to her mother!

gummybears what was the code for my DD, I'd love to know!

My H once talked me through the "codewords" on GP referral letters and the consultant replies.

It was enlightening and I have kept a sharp eye on what my own NHS letters say since then....

Start worrying when you are called 'interesting'! DH and one consultant had patients who were interesting, very interesting or extremely interesting. The latter just wouldn't stop talking and knew all about everything!

Of course, some patients actually were interesting!