Explain a document with information for several audiences

What to change

Separate the document's audience-specific tasks or explain the relevant sections clearly. Decide whether distinct documents would make the tasks easier to understand and maintain.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A referral pack has a patient overview and a clearly described professional submission section. The website directs patients to the overview and professionals to the referral route instead of giving both the same unexplained download.

How to check the result

Each reader can find their task without interpreting another audience's responsibilities as their own.

A mistake to avoid

Do not expect an internal acronym or department heading to explain who should complete a section.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordIdentify each audience and the action they are expected to take.Remove internal instructions that do not belong in public patient information.Name any professional section so patients know it is intended for their referrer rather than themselves.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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