Doctors, Physicians and Surgeons
How to Address a Doctor or Physician
Doctors and Physicians are always referred to both in written and verbal communication by the title of Doctor, abbreviated to 'Dr'.
The recommended form of address is as follows:
| Beginning of a letter | Dear Dr Faulkes |
| Envelope | Dr Petra Faulkes, MD, FRCP* |
| In conversation and introductions | Dr Faulkes |
* The order of letters denoting medical qualifications after the individual's name should be placed in the correct order.
How to Address a Surgeon
Surgeons are referred to both in written and verbal communication as ‘Mr’.
The recommended form of address is as follows:
| Beginning of a letter | Dear Mr Smith or Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith (as appropriate) |
| Envelope |
Mr William Smith, MB BS, MRCS, or John Smith, Esq, MB BS, FRCS* (for a male surgeon).
|
In conversation and introductions |
Mr Smith / Mrs, Miss, Ms Smith |
* The order of letters denoting medical qualifications after the individual's name should be placed in the correct order.
By custom, letters after the name denoting medical qualifications follow those of orders, decorations and medals bestowed by the Crown. For example: John Smith, Esq, CB, JP, DL, MB BS, MRCP
How to Address a Medical Professional with a Knighthood
Members of the medical profession who are awarded a knighthood would be addressed as follows:
Doctors and Physicians
| Beginning of a letter | Dear Sir Peter |
| Envelope | Sir Peter Baucher, MD, FRCP* |
| In conversation and introductions | Sir Peter |
Surgeons
| Beginning of a letter | Sir William Forde, MS, FRCS* |
| Envelope | William Forde, Esq, MS, FRCS * |
| In conversation and introductions | Mr Forde or Sir William |
* Letters denoting medical qualifications after the individual's name should be placed in the correct order.
