Where possible, avoid using clinical or medical terminology. Use plain English and frame your responses in terms of what activity limitations the patient experiences day-to-day due to their impairment.
A gold standard example is shown below:
EXAMPLE (Functional Domain: Learning)
Kris has difficulty understanding and remembering information and then translating that into actions or tasks. He is unable to learn and remember the tasks associated with going shopping by himself, or cooking, or being able to predict what is going to happen next and organise information in a logical way to make his decisions. Kris is unable to be left alone within his home or the community as he needs supervision constantly to ensure his safety in all these environments. He requires a support person to be with him to assist him to understand when he is interacting with others in the community.
The above example outlines:
- Specific Learning Activities Affected by Disability:
‘He is unable to learn and remember the tasks associated with going shopping by himself, or cooking, or being able to predict what is going to happen next and organise information in a logical way to make his decisions.’
‘He requires a support person…’
- Level/frequency of Support Needed
‘Kris is unable to be left alone within his home or the community as he needs supervision constantly…’
You do not have to write narrative style – bullet points are fine. As the Access Request Form is refined over time, you are likely to see more checkboxes introduced making the response process easier.
The introduction of independent assessments (from early 2021) will also reduce the need to provide this amount of detail. In the meantime, don’t forget you can attach existing reports, assessments etc., to the Access Request Form, rather than filling in the form or composing a new written response.
It is worth noting, however, that doctors who prepare their own written report are less likely to receive requests for further information.