Referral letter (revised)

Dear Mrs. Brown,

Doctor Smith has referred your son Bobby to me for a hearing test. I have put him on the waiting list.

We are behind due to the movement of our offices to the new Primary Health Care Centre. I hope to see your son in about five months’ time.

In about three months, we will let you know the date of Bobby’s appointment. Please tell us if you change your address or phone number.

Please tell us if Bobby cannot keep the appointment. I will then see him on the next available date.

You may wish to set up an appointment with another audiologist who can see you sooner. Unfortunately, the other regional centres have waiting lists as well.

In case you wish to visit a private clinic, I have given you a list on the other side of this page. Please contact them directly and ask

• If they can test children and
• What you will have to pay.

Please phone our office at 123-4567 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

[Flesch-Kincaid reading level = 6.1]

Referral letter (I have simplified the letter even further.)

Dear Mrs. Brown,

Doctor Smith has asked me to give your son Bobby a hearing test. I have put Bobby on the wait list.

Our wait list is longer than usual because we have just moved. Our office is now in the Primary Health Care Centre.

In about three months, we will let you know when Bobby can come to see us. Please tell us if you cannot bring Bobby on that date, or at that time. We will change it.

Please tell us if you move or get a new phone number.

You may wish to go to another clinic which can see you sooner, but other centres in this region have wait lists as well.

In case you wish to visit a private clinic, I have given you a list on the other side of this page. Please contact them directly and ask

• if they can test children, and
• what you will have to pay.

Please phone our office at 123-4567 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

[Flesch-Kincaid reading level = 4.5]