letters from consultants

It gets better ... .....

“his wife noticed he had a right side facial droop”

To which DH added “ hmmmm note no pleasant in that line”

followed by

“trust her, has she looked in the mirror lately ?”

OHs consultant letters always start like that too, always makes us smile too.

Consultants do use coded descriptions.
Pleasant gentleman = compliant client
Repeatedly seen gentleman = hypochondriac
Very anxious gentleman = miserable old git

Are you sure “pleasant gentleman” means compliant client sparkly seems a highly unusual way to describe my DH

My DD was a "delightful young lady". He doesn't know her obviously!

I was described as 'charming and very fit'

It's 'interesting' that has more of a hidden meaning!

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!

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....

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

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

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

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

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!

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 .

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

Oh I’ll bear that one in mind wildswan

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Trust him to be common .