What a physician letter does

A letter from a physician — the family doctor, a specialist, or a geriatrician — adds medical authority to what families describe during a CLSC assessment. It confirms that a health professional who knows the person shares your understanding of their situation.

It does not need to be lengthy. Even a brief note confirming a diagnosis and stating that increased home care support is clinically appropriate can be meaningful.

When a physician letter is most useful

• When there has been a new diagnosis that significantly changes daily function
• When cognitive impairment has progressed and you want medical documentation of the decline
• When the last CLSC assessment predates a major health change
• When the CLSC has underestimated needs and you want to provide additional evidence
• When supporting an appeal or complaint

What to ask the physician to include

When requesting a letter, it helps to be specific about what you need documented. A useful physician letter includes:

• The person's name and date of birth
• A brief description of the relevant diagnosis or diagnoses
• How the condition affects daily function (what the person can and cannot do independently)
• The physician's clinical opinion on the need for home care support
• Any specific recommendations (e.g., nursing visits, physiotherapy, OT assessment)
• The date and the physician's signature

How to request a letter

Most family doctors are willing to write brief letters in support of home care requests. You can:

• Ask at an appointment — explain what the letter is for and what it needs to say
• Ask through the medical secretary — leave a written request with your contact information
• Ask through the patient portal if one is available

Physicians are busy, and requests through the secretary rather than during an appointment may take a week or two. Plan ahead if you have an assessment coming up.

What if the doctor doesn't know the full picture at home?

Physicians see patients for brief appointments and may not be fully aware of how things have deteriorated at home. When requesting a letter, provide context: write a brief note for the physician describing what you observe, the specific tasks the person struggles with, and any safety incidents. This helps them write an accurate, useful letter.

What should I gather next?

Return to the Medical Documentation Checklist for a full overview of what to prepare before an assessment.