OET Letter Writing Step 4 – “Opening”

After DADR, you write the Opening Paragraph using one of our 5 codes. This paragraph should ideally include:

• Patient’s name 
• “requires”
• Purpose of writing the letter.
• Present condition.
• Date of discharge or Transfer.

Now, look at an opening paragraph:

Mrs. Laura Bennett requires routine check-up and medication review. She has mild hypertension which is controlled on medication and is ready for transfer.

Sample 1

• Patient Name: Mr. John Patel.
• Age: 41 years.
• Purpose: Diabetes management consultation.
• Current Condition: Uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes.
• Discharge/Transfer Date: Ready.
• Recipient: Dr. Helen Wong, Diabetes Clinic, Oak Street, Perth.

Sample Paragraph:

Mr John Patel requires diabetes management consultation. He has uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and is ready for transfer.

Sample 3

• Patient Name: Ms Fiona Evans
• Age: 33 years
• Purpose: Further care at her home.
• Current Condition: Recovering (fracture, right wrist)
• Discharge / Transfer Date: Tomorrow.
• Recipient: Community Nurse, Elm Road, Adelaide. 

Sample Paragraph:

Ms Fiona Evans requires further care at her home. She is recuperating after a fracture and is being discharged tomorrow. OR: Ms Fiona Evans requires further care at her home. She is recovering from a fracture of the right wrist and will be discharged tomorrow.

Sample 4

Patient Name: Mr. Anthony Parker.

• Age: 48 years
• Purpose: Neurological assessment
• Current Condition: Frequent migraines, vision disturbances.
• Discharge/Transfer Date: Today (appointment scheduled).
• Recipient: Dr. Daniel Lee, Neurology Department, King’s Hospital, Sydney.

Sample Paragraph:

Thank you for accepting Mr Anthony Parker who requires neurological assessment. He has frequent migraines and vision disturbances and is being transferred today for a scheduled appointment.

Sample 5

• Patient Name: Mrs. Sandra Lewis
• Age: 57 years
• Purpose: Gastroenterology evaluation
• Current Condition: Abdominal pain, bloating, suspected IBS
• Discharge/Transfer Date: Ready.
• Recipient: Dr. Rebecca Jones, Gastro Clinic, Victoria Street, Melbourne.

Mrs. Sandra Lewis requires a gastroenterology evaluation. She has abdominal pain, bloating and suspected IBS, and is ready for transfer.

Sample Task 1

• Mr. Eric Taylor
• Patient Name: Mr. Eric Taylor.
• Age: 29 years.
• Purpose: Urgent respiratory consultation.
• Current Condition: Asthma exacerbation.
• Discharge/Transfer Date: Ready.
• Recipient: Dr. Andrew Miller, Pulmonary Clinic, Franklin Avenue, Brisbane.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 2

• Patient: Mrs. Eleanor Richards
• Age: 68 years
• Recipient: Nurse Sarah Bennett, Star Aged Care Home.
• Reason for Hospitalization: Hip fracture surgery.
• Current Condition: Recovering well, using a walker, requires assistance with daily activities.
• Discharge Destination: Star Aged care home.
• Discharge date: Today.
• Purpose: Continued assistance with mobility, wound care, and medication management.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 3

• Patient: Mr. Daniel Cooper; Age: 55 years
• Recipient: Nurse Olivia Johnson, Home Health Care Team.
• Discharge Date: Tomorrow (February 1, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Appendectomy
• Current Condition: Stable, mild postoperative discomfort, tolerating diet well.
• Discharge Destination: Patient’s own home.
• Purpose: Wound care and pain management at home.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 4

• Patient Name: Ms. Linda Scott (47 years)
• Address: 10 Oak Avenue, Perth, WA 6000
• Recipient: (Nurse) Jacob Miller, Community Nursing Services.
• Discharge Date: Today (January 31, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Gallbladder removal surgery.
• Current Condition: Stable, mild pain, requires dietary adjustments.
• Discharge Destination: Patient’s own home
• Purpose of the Letter: Dietary monitoring and post-operative care.
• Follow-up Requirements: Pain management, wound care, and gradual dietary transition.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 5

• Patient Name: Mr. Henry Wilson
• Age: 78 years
• Recipient: Nurse Laura Adams, Hillside Aged Care Home Facility
• Discharge Date: Tomorrow (February 1, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Stroke rehabilitation
• Current Condition: Improved but requires assistance with speech and mobility
• Discharge Destination: Hillside Aged care home (The patient is being transferred to an aged care facility for the first time).
• Purpose of the Letter: Continued rehabilitation, speech therapy, and mobility support
• Follow-up Requirements: Regular physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 6

• Patient Name: Mrs. Patricia Lewis
• Recipient: Nurse Kevin White, Home Nursing Service
• Discharge Date: Today (January 31, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Pneumonia treatment
• Current Condition: Recovering, slight fatigue, requires oxygen therapy
• Discharge Destination: Patient’s own home
• Purpose of the Letter: Oxygen therapy monitoring and respiratory care.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 7

Patient Name: Mr. George Martin; 61 years
Address: 44 Beach Road, Darwin, NT 0800

• Recipient: Nurse Rebecca Foster, Residential Rehabilitation Center
• Discharge Date: Tomorrow (February 1, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Heart bypass surgery
• Current Condition: Stable, requires cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications
• Discharge Destination: Rehabilitation facility
• Purpose of the Letter: Post-surgical cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle monitoring
• Follow-up Requirements: Physiotherapy, dietary adjustments, and medication management.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 8

Patient Name: Ms. Rachel Carter; 36 years
Address: 19 Elm Street, Canberra, ACT 2600

• Recipient: Nurse James Edwards, Community Health Nursing Team
• Discharge Date: Today (January 31, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Cesarean section delivery
• Current Condition: Stable, mild post-surgical pain, baby is healthy
• Discharge Destination: Patient’s own home
• Purpose of the Letter: Postnatal care and wound healing support
• Follow-up Requirements: Monitoring for infection, pain management, and breastfeeding support.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 9

• Patient Name: Mr. William Parker
• Age: 50 years
• Address: 90 Central Road, Gold Coast, QLD 4217
• Recipient: Nurse Sophie Daniels, Home Health Services
• Discharge Date: Tomorrow (February 1, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Hernia repair surgery
• Current Condition: Stable, advised to avoid heavy lifting, minor pain present
• Discharge Destination: Patient’s own home
• Purpose of the Letter: Wound care and post-surgical mobility guidance
• Follow-up Requirements: Pain management, activity restrictions, and diet modifications

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………

Sample Task 10

• Patient Name: Mr. Thomas Bennett
• Age: 74 years
• Address: 77 Riverbank Drive, Newcastle, NSW 2300
• Recipient: Nurse Emma Collins, Assisted Living Facility
• Discharge Date: Today (January 31, 2025)
• Reason for Hospitalization: Hip replacement surgery
• Current Condition: Recovering well, requires physiotherapy and assistance with walking
• Discharge Destination: Assisted living facility
• Purpose of the Letter: Physiotherapy and post-operative mobility care
• Follow-up Requirements: Pain management, physiotherapy sessions, and fall prevention.

Answer: ……………………. ………………….. …………………… …………………………