Communication between primary and secondary care is the cornerstone of care for patients in general, and it is more important in community psychiatry.

A survey was done about the standard of new a patient's assessment letter send to General Practitioner was done in the Mental Health Unit Basildon University Hospital.

It reviewed 90 letters sent to GPs from six Consultant Psychiatrists clinics from January to July 2008.

99% had the date of the clinic stated.

70% stated the place of the clinic.

48% mentioned others attended.

75% stated the diagnosis.

64% stated current medication.

80% stated the current mental state.21% stated the risk assessment.

39% stated current social situation.

29% stated investigation arranged

71% stated change of medication.

13% indicated who will prescribe medication.

57% mentioned other therapeutic interventions.

16% indicated that Community Psychiatric Nurse is involved.

29% indicated that other agencies are involved in providing care.

69% arranged for a follow up.

No letter indicated anything about prognosis.

Only 4% mentioned that information was given to patients.

This survey indicated that communication with General practitioner was good and it needed to be improved on areas such as diagnosis, which should mentioned in all letters Risk assessment also should be covered in 100% of letters. Management plan was missing from 31% of the assessment, an area which needed to be improved. Prognosis was missing from all, practice should be improved in that area also.