Inclusion criteria | • NHS adult (18+ years) patients discharged from a hospital following an episode of inpatient or outpatient care. |
• Patient registered with the participating GP practice. | |
• Patient treated at and discharged from a hospital within Warwickshire, Coventry, Rugby, Herefordshire or Worcestershire. | |
• Cases where written discharge communication has been sent to the patient’s GP. | |
Exclusion criteria | • Age < 18 years. |
• Patients who lack capacity to give informed consent to participate in the study (e.g. Alzheimer’s) or are deemed by the GP to be unsuitable for participation (e.g. end of life). | |
• Patients discharged to providers or units other than their GP (e.g. discharge from hospital to a rehab unit). | |
• Discharge communication from mental health services. | |
• Communication about individuals who are considered unable to participate in an interview or focus group or survey conducted in English. | |
• Those who do not wish to participate. | |
• Those who have expressed a general wish not to participate in research. |