What to do if you receive correspondance about a patient erroneously?

You should always return such correspondence promptly to the originator who will be able to check the correct contact details with the PPSA through the National Strategic Tracing Service*. This is a database of current contact details for all GP registered patients.  If every GP co-operates in this way it is much less likely that vital patient information will fail to reach its correct destination.

There is more danger that confidential information will be lost or go astray if the practice redirects mail incorrectly to the intended recipient, which could constitute a breach of patient confidentiality. It would also fail to alert the originator that it is necessary to correct the patient's contact details, which could have serious implications.   

(* National Strategic Tracing Service  http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/nsts  )