| Time Allowed | 45 minutes |
| Word Count | 180-200 words |
| Letter Type | Referral, Discharge, or Advice letter |
| Assessment Criteria | Purpose, Content, Conciseness, Genre, Organisation, Language |
How to Write an OET Referral Letter: Complete Guide for Nurses
The OET referral letter is the most common writing task for nurses. You have 45 minutes to read case notes and write a letter of 180-200 words referring a patient to another healthcare professional. This task tests your ability to select relevant information, organise it logically, and communicate professionally. Mastering the referral letter is essential for achieving Grade B.
Unlike general English writing tests, the OET referral letter requires clinical reasoning. You must decide which information from the case notes is relevant and which should be omitted. This guide provides a step-by-step framework, complete sample letters, and proven strategies to write Grade B referral letters consistently.
Understanding the OET Referral Letter Task
The referral letter is written to another healthcare professional - a doctor, specialist, physiotherapist, dietitian, or social worker. Your task is to communicate why the patient needs referral and provide relevant clinical information.
What you receive:
- A task prompt telling you who to write to and why
- Case notes with patient information, history, medications, and other details
- Some information is relevant; some is irrelevant and should be omitted
What you must produce:
- A formal letter addressed to the recipient by name (e.g., "Dear Dr. Smith")
- Clear purpose statement in the first sentence
- Relevant patient history, current condition, medications, allergies
- Specific request for what you want the recipient to do
- Professional closing
Standard Referral Letter Structure
Memorise This Structure - Use for Every Referral Letter
Opening (1 sentence): I am writing to refer [patient full name], a [age]-year-old [male/female], for [reason for referral - assessment/management/investigation] of [condition].
Paragraph 2 - Current Condition (2-3 sentences): [Patient] was admitted/presented on [date] with [main symptoms/diagnosis]. Current observations include [relevant clinical findings].
Paragraph 3 - Relevant History (2-3 sentences): Past medical history includes [relevant conditions only]. Current medications are [list key medications]. Allergies: [list or state none].
Paragraph 4 - Social Context (1-2 sentences - include only if relevant): [Patient] lives [alone/with family]. [Any social factors affecting care, e.g., mobility issues, support system].
Closing (1-2 sentences): I would be grateful if you could [specific request]. Please contact me if further information is required. Yours sincerely, [Your full name, Registered Nurse].
How to Analyse Case Notes (First 5 Minutes)
The most critical skill is selecting relevant information. Follow this process:
ALWAYS Include
- Patient name and age
- Reason for referral (purpose)
- Current symptoms and diagnosis
- Relevant past medical history
- Current medications and dosages
- Allergies (especially drug allergies)
- Specific request to recipient
NEVER Include
- Past medical history from >10 years ago (unless directly relevant)
- Family history not affecting current care
- Normal findings that do not change management
- Patient's emotional state (anxious, worried) - show empathy, don't state it
- Irrelevant social details (hobbies, occupation unless relevant)
Before including any information, ask: "Does this help the recipient understand why I am referring OR help them treat the patient?" If the answer is no, omit it. This single rule eliminates 90 per cent of content errors.
Step-by-Step Writing Process (45 Minutes)
Minutes 1-5
Read task prompt and case notes. Highlight relevant information. Cross out irrelevant information.
Minutes 5-10
Plan your letter. Write the opening sentence. Decide which information goes in each paragraph.
Minutes 10-35
Write the letter. Focus on clarity and accuracy. Count words as you write.
Minutes 35-45
Review and proofread. Check word count (180-200). Check verb tenses. Check articles (a/an/the).
Complete Sample Referral Letter (Grade B Standard)
Task: Refer Mrs. Margaret Chen, 72 years old, to a physiotherapist following a left hip replacement surgery. She requires rehabilitation and mobility assessment.
Dear Physiotherapist,
I am writing to refer Mrs Margaret Chen, a 72-year-old female, for post-operative physiotherapy following a left total hip replacement performed on 8 May 2026.
Mrs Chen was admitted to the orthopaedic ward on 7 May 2026 with severe left hip osteoarthritis. The surgery was uneventful. Current mobility status: she is able to sit out of bed with assistance but requires a walking frame for transfers. Pain is controlled with Paracetamol 1g four times daily.
Past medical history includes hypertension managed with Lisinopril 10mg daily. No known drug allergies. She lives alone on the ground floor and has a daughter who visits daily.
I would be grateful if you could assess Mrs Chen's mobility, provide a rehabilitation plan, and recommend any home modifications. Please contact me if further information is required.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Johnson
Registered Nurse, Orthopaedic Ward
Word count: 197 | Analysis: Clear purpose, relevant history only, medications included, social context relevant (lives alone), specific request, professional closing.
Common Mistakes in Referral Letters (and How to Fix Them)
| Mistake | Incorrect Example | Corrected Version |
|---|---|---|
| No purpose statement | "Mrs. Smith has diabetes and high blood pressure." | "I am writing to refer Mrs Smith for management of uncontrolled diabetes." |
| Irrelevant history | "She had chickenpox at age 5 and broke her arm in 1990." | Omit entirely - not relevant |
| Missing patient age | "I am writing to refer Mr Jones." | "I am writing to refer Mr Jones, a 58-year-old male." |
| Informal closing | "Thanks. Please see him. Bye." | "I would be grateful if you could assess the patient. Please contact me if further information is required." |
| Incorrect verb tense | "She is admitted on 5 May with chest pain." | "She was admitted on 5 May with chest pain." |
Key Phrases for OET Referral Letters
Opening Phrases
- "I am writing to refer..."
- "I would like to refer..."
- "This patient requires referral for..."
- "Please see [patient name] who requires..."
History Phrases
- "Past medical history includes..."
- "The patient has a history of..."
- "Significant past medical history includes..."
- "She was diagnosed with [condition] in [year]."
Request Phrases
- "I would be grateful if you could..."
- "Could you please assess/manage/investigate..."
- "We would appreciate your assessment of..."
- "Please arrange for [service/treatment]."
Closing Phrases
- "Please contact me if further information is required."
- "Thank you for your assistance."
- "I look forward to your recommendations."
- "Yours sincerely," (when you know recipient's name)
Examiners stop reading after 200 words. If your letter is 220 words, the last 20 words will not be assessed - you may have omitted key information. If your letter is 160 words, you have not provided enough information. Write 180-200 words exactly. Count every word in practice.
How Prep27 Helps You Master Referral Letters
Prep27 AI Writing Evaluation is specifically designed for OET referral letters. The platform provides:
- Instant scoring against all six OET criteria (Purpose, Content, Conciseness, Genre, Organisation, Language)
- Line-by-line error highlighting for grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Content analysis showing whether you included relevant case notes and omitted irrelevant ones
- Word count tracking with warnings if you are over or under
- Corrected version showing exactly how to rewrite your letter for Grade B
- Unlimited practice with new case notes in every session
Submit a referral letter to Prep27. Receive detailed feedback within seconds. Correct your mistakes. Submit another letter. This rapid feedback loop is the fastest way to master OET referral letters. Most users improve from Grade C+ to Grade B within 10-15 practice letters.
The OET referral letter follows a predictable structure that you can master with practice. Memorise the standard opening, body, and closing format. Use the Relevance Test to select case note information. Write exactly 180-200 words. Use professional phrases and avoid contractions. Submit your letters to Prep27 AI for instant feedback. With 10-15 practice letters, you will develop the consistency needed for Grade B.