As a team, we rely heavily on email  for communication. It provides a clear trail of correspondence and is the best way to communicate with busy clinicians who may not be immediately available by telephone or in person. The ability to refer back to previous discussions, advice, and decisions is invaluable, particularly when managing patients with complex needs, that may change quickly. Email also allows information to be shared efficiently with multiple members of the multidisciplinary team, ensuring consistency of information and reducing the risk of important details being missed.

We are fortunate to work in close proximity to the MND Specialist Occupational Therapist, and as a result we have established a monthly face-to-face meeting to discuss all patients with MND who are currently under the Neurosplinting service. This was a change introduced recently as at times email was becoming overwhelming and we were loosing track. Whilst email remains useful, it could sometimes be difficult to keep track of changing clinical need. The monthly meetings have allowed for more effective communication, enabling patients to be discussed in their entirety rather than through a series of back-and-forth emails.

I feel these meetings have significantly improved collaborative working. They provide an opportunity to review current concerns, identify problems and agree timely intervention plans. Following each meeting, outcomes and agreed actions are documented on communication sheets to ensure all team members remain informed and up to date. In addition, we maintain a separate spreadsheet for MND patients which allows this caseload to be highlighted, monitored and prioritised where necessary.

Overall, I feel that the introduction of both the monthly meetings and dedicated spreadsheet has been a simple but  effective way of improving communication. It helps ensure that patients do not "slip under the net", that all clinicians are working from the same information, and that splinting interventions can be provided promptly, particularly when urgent input is required. Whilst face-to-face discussions are invaluable, it remains essential that decisions are documented appropriately. By recording meeting outcomes and maintaining email correspondence where required, we have ensured there is still a clear chronological record of clinical decision-making and communication.