Dear Mr Steadman,
Your recent correspondence regarding the state and well-being of my patient Timothy Cornish has been brought to my attention and while your concern is understandable I must regrettably and respectfully decline the request to release any information in relation to his treatment or progress unless to next of kin and/or without the expressed consent of said patient.
While I understand the difficulties presented in this situation and the frustration you must be feeling, my priority is the highest code of practice with my patients including and especially confidentiality.
If at any stage it is felt that Timohy Cornish is a risk to others or himself immediate action will be taken to preserve his well-being and I hope this can be a reassurance to you.
I must therefore ask that you no longer contact my offices with this matter.
Sincerely
Dr Richard Murton
I stared at the typeface and spelling mistake of Tim's name wondering if it was the secretary that I saw each time I picked Tim up that had been in charging of editing a pre-drafted letter only to change four things and still get it wrong.
"What's that," Tim asked innocently.
"Nothing," I replied as I slid it into my drawer and continued tidying.
"I'm going to make a bacon sandwhich, would you like one?"
"Sure," I replied absently.
"Have you seen Shadow?"
Why had the rates bill been taken out twice this month?
"Hmm, what?"
"I can't find Shadow," he repeated.
"Oh, em. She'll turn up," I assured him.
He looked dejected.
"Yeah."