4.8 The process: Template examples, ordered by format

IP templates vary in their format, content and the extent to which they are condition-specific. Some templates provide information, while others direct people where to find it.

The links to templates in the list below show some of the templates that sites have used, illustrating various different approaches. (Clicking on a link will open a PDF. Use your back button when you want to close it and return here. Alternatively, right-click on a link and choose 'Save target as ...' to save the PDF to your computer. If you have difficulty using PDFs, see our site accessibility page)

1. Simple IP where the professional uses a prepared template to signpost the patient or carer to other services which they can follow up when it suits them. Example of straightforward template directing the user or their carer to a website [PDF, not tagged, 98KB] from Darlington Primary Care Trust.
2. More comprehensive IP and checklist with prompts, where the professional can write in information as well as signposting the patient or carer to other agencies for prescribing and dispensing. Example of template and checklist [PDF, not tagged, 62KB] from Cambridge and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership Trust.
3. General information alongside an IP request in the form of a checklist which the professional completes (prescribes) with the user or carer and then sends on to another agency. The second agency provides (dispenses) the information directly to the user or carer. Example from Evelina Children's Hospital of request form attached to a general information leaflet [PDF, not tagged, 2.5MB - note large file size]. Example from Northumbria of a request form for an IP [PDF, not tagged, 34KB]
4. Comprehensive IP and checklist with prompts, where the professional prescribes and dispenses information to the patient or carer.
   Examples from the Diabetes UK, Asthma UK, Arthritis Care and Hammersmith and Fulham PCT pilot. Each of these also shows how IPs can be tailored for different stages in a person's care. • arthritis [PDF, not tagged, 664KB] • asthma [PDF, not tagged, 472KB] • diabetes [PDF, not tagged, 467KB].
   Examples from Mid Trent Cancer Network Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: • head and neck IP template [PDF, not tagged, 380KB] • accompanying diagrams of head and neck [PDF illustration, not tagged, 23KB]
5. IP linked via IT to password protected electronic directories where the professional is prompted to populate the template with information sources during a consultation and then prints if off for the patient or carer. South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has used this approach in its web-based 'info4u' IP template [PDF, not tagged 845KB]
6. IP linked via IT to password protected electronic directories where either the professional is prompted to populate the template with information sources during a consultation and then print it for the patient or carer, or the patient or carer self-dispenses. For example, see the Isle of Wight Council IP website or read their web based IP - guidance document which illustrates the whole process of self-prescribing an IP [PDF 1.5MB note large file size]

The previous page showed the same templates - and other examples - ordered by condition.

On the next page: delivery methods for IPs