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Patients referred by their general practitioner (GP) with a definite diagnosis, for example, recurrent sore throat for consideration of tonsillectomy in adults, may wait for months without receiving any further clinical information from the hospital until their outpatient consultation. Prompt provision of condition-specific information after referral has received little attention despite considerable potential to enhance patients’ understanding, thereby relieving uncertainty and anxiety, and facilitating shared decision-making.This study aimed to report the experience of patients with recurrent tonsillitis who had been sent a booklet outlining the benefits and risks of tonsillectomy immediately after GP referral.Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board received 218 referrals of patients aged 16–40 to discuss tonsillectomy between January and August 2022. Every patient was sent a 16-page booklet by post and given the choice to opt in for a consultation.165 (76%) patients opted in, and 53 (24%) did not. Feedback was obtained from 143 patients (66%) from both groups. 99% found the information booklet easy to understand, 97% would recommend it to a friend with recurrent tonsillitis, 93% felt their questions had been answered and 92% believed it helped them to decide whether to proceed with tonsillectomy. Socioeconomic deprivation did not influence the outcome.In conclusion, most patients found provision of clinical information immediately after vetting of the referral to be beneficial, irrespective of whether they opted in for a consultation. This concept has broad applicability across all specialties, and the principles can be readily adopted and adapted by clinicians and managers in local units.

Category: Trauma; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Truly isolated Weber B distal fibula fractures are stable injuries that usually recover well following non- operative treatment, however the concern over the possibility of a medial ligament injury, and ankle instability has traditionally lead to regular surveillance in the fracture clinics to exclude delayed talar shift developing. After recent studies suggesting this risk is low we introduced a new functional treatment protocol and present our early results. Methods: 141 consecutive patients presenting acutely with isolated Weber B fractures without talar shift during a 12 months period were included. ED notes and radiographs were reviewed. All patients were splinted in a removable boot, and allowed to fully weight bear up to their comfort levels. Patients without signs of a medial ligament injury were then discharged from follow-up with advice to wear the boot for 6 weeks, an information leaflet and exercise sheet and a helpline number in case of difficulties. If they wanted clinic review this was organised. If signs of a medial ligament injury were documented, or the medial findings were not clear the patient was reviewed with up to date radiographs in the fracture clinic at 4 weeks post-injury. If talar shift developed the patient was to be converted to operative treatment. Olerud and Molander scores were collected between 6 and 12 months post- injury. Results: There were 51 patients without signs of medial ligament injury and of these 23 were discharged according to protocol and 28 patients attended fracture clinic. 89 patients had signs of medial ligament injury or no documented medial findings and of these 65 attended fracture clinic. One discharged patient re-accessed care. Of 93 patients reviewed in the fracture clinic none developed delayed talar shift. One underwent delayed ORIF for ongoing fibula discomfort and the remainder continued with non- operative treatment. 99 (70%) patients provided outcome scores. The mean Olerud and Molander score at a minimum of 6 months follow-up was 87 and the median score was 100. No significant difference was found between treatment arms. The scores were comparable to those in the published literature. Conclusion: We conclude the risk of delayed talar shift is low and satisfactory outcomes can be safely achieved with our functional protocol. Additional tests/imaging to establish the integrity of the medial ligament may be unnecessary.