OET Discharge Letter Guide for Nurses: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

The OET Writing sub-test evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in a real-world healthcare context. One of the most common tasks for nurses is writing a discharge letter. This letter is crucial for ensuring continuity of care when a patient transitions from a hospital setting back into the community.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how to write a high-scoring OET discharge letter using a sample set of case notes. We will deconstruct the letter-writing process paragraph by paragraph, incorporating 40 essential tips to help you secure a Grade A or B.

OET Case Notes for Discharge Letter (Nursing)

Date, Recipient’s Address, Greeting and Re: Line

This section sets up the professional format of your letter.

• Tip 1: Use the discharge date as the date of the letter.
• Tip 2: Use the recipient’s professional title.
• Tip 3: Always include the patient’s full name and DOB in the Re: line.
• Tip 4: It is acceptable to interchange the order of the Date and the Recipient’s Details.
• Tip 5: It is also acceptable to interchange the order of the Greeting and the Reference Line.
• Tip 6: Ensure spellings of names and addresses are copied exactly.
• Tip 7: Use a consistent spelling style (British or American).

27 August 2025

Ms Joanna Bell Community Nurse Dublin Community Healthcare 123 Health Street Dublin

Dear Ms Bell,

Re: Mr George Miller, DOB: 15/04/1948

Introduction – Patient, Situation & Purpose

The introduction must immediately tell the reader who the patient is, why they were in the hospital, and what you need the reader to do.

• Tip 8: Clearly state the purpose is to update and request ongoing care.
• Tip 9: State the purpose in your first one or two sentences.
• Tip 10: Include the patient’s full name and age.
• Tip 11: Keep the introduction concise.
• Tip 12: Avoid informal phrases like “a patient of mine.”
• Tip 13: The introduction sets the entire context. Make it strong.

I am writing to update you on Mr George Miller, a 77-year-old widower, who is being discharged today following treatment for right lower lobe pneumonia. He requires ongoing community nursing support to ensure a safe recovery at home.

Body Paragraph 1 – Background & Reason for Admission

This paragraph provides context.

• Tip 14: Provide a brief overview of relevant medical and social history.
• Tip 15: Select only history that impacts ongoing care (e.g., COPD, Diabetes, living alone).
• Tip 16: Concisely describe the presenting complaint and diagnosis.
• Tip 17: Use the past simple tense for finished events (e.g., “He presented with…”).
• Tip 18: Start the paragraph with the patient’s title and surname.

Mr Miller lives alone and has a history of COPD, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. He was admitted on 21 August 2025 with symptoms of fever, a productive cough and shortness of breath. A subsequent chest X-ray confirmed right lower lobe pneumonia.

Body Paragraph 2 – Hospital Progress & Management

This section details the treatment provided and the patient’s response.

• Tip 19: Summarize key interventions.
• Tip 20: Mention the switch from IV to oral antibiotics as a sign of recovery.
• Tip 21: Note the management of chronic conditions.
• Tip 22: Include important findings from other teams (e.g., physiotherapy).
• Tip 23: Introduce hospital-acquired complications (pressure sore) here.

During his hospital stay, Mr Miller was treated with intravenous Doxycycline, which was later switched to an oral course. He also received regular Salbutamol nebulisers for his COPD and his blood sugar levels were monitored, which have now stabilised. A physiotherapy assessment confirmed he is safe to mobilise with his walking stick. Please note, he developed a Stage 1 pressure sore on his sacrum, which remains clean and does not require a dressing at present.

Body Paragraph 3 – Discharge Plan & Action Required

This is the most critical paragraph. It must clearly state what you expect the community nurse to do.

• Tip 24: Use a clear introductory phrase (e.g., “For his ongoing care…”).
• Tip 25: List the specific nursing tasks required.
• Tip 26: Connect actions back to the patient’s condition.
• Tip 27: Be specific about timeframes (e.g., “weekly for 2 weeks”).
• Tip 28: Refer to patient education that needs reinforcement.
• Tip 29: Mention the medications he is being discharged on.

For his ongoing care, it would be appreciated if you could monitor Mr Miller’s compliance with his medications, particularly ensuring he completes the remaining three days of Doxycycline. We also request you monitor the sacral pressure sore for any signs of deterioration and check his BSLs weekly for the next two weeks. Reinforcing education regarding adequate fluid intake would also be beneficial.

Conclusion – Polite Summary of Request

The conclusion briefly wraps up the letter.

• Tip 30: A polite summary is effective.
• Tip 31: Mention any scheduled follow-up appointments.
• Tip 32: Keep it short.

Mr Miller’s daughter is aware of his discharge and will continue her weekly visits. He has a follow-up appointment with his GP, Dr. Evans, in two weeks.

Closing Sentence & Complimentary Close

• Tip 33: The closing sentence is a standard professional courtesy.
• Tip 34: Use “Yours sincerely” when you know the recipient’s name.
• Tip 35: Sign off with your professional title.
• Tip 36: Leave a single blank line between sections.

For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Charge Nurse

Check Your Understanding – Quiz

Final Sample Letter