The candidate card
Setting
Aged care facility
Candidate
You are the visiting GP. Mr Bradley Hargreave's mother, aged 89, is a resident here. She walks with a frame and has mild memory problems, but she can usually make everyday decisions about her care with support, and she has agreed that her son may receive updates. Last night she had an unwitnessed fall on the way to the bathroom. She has a skin tear on her right forearm, which has been cleaned and dressed, and there is no clinical evidence of fracture or head injury on initial assessment. Because the fall was unwitnessed, neurological observations are underway. Staff report that she has been more drowsy and confused over the past few days, so you have started an assessment today for possible delirium and its cause. This includes a review of her medicines, including any that increase bleeding risk. Her son has arrived and asked to speak with you.
Task (interlocutor: relative)
- Find out about Mr Hargreave's concerns about his mother's fall
- Explain his mother's injuries and the care she is receiving (skin tear dressing, neurological observations, assessment of her recent drowsiness and confusion)
- Explain why keeping her in bed with bed rails is not recommended (risk of serious injury, loss of strength and independence)
- Reassure him about the steps being taken to reduce her risk of falling (falls risk review, low bed, sensor mat, physiotherapy)
- Agree a plan that involves his mother in decisions about her care, including how he will be kept informed
In the test you get 3 minutes to read the card and plan, then about 5 minutes to talk. This card is original, written for this site; the interlocutor's card is not shown.
How to approach this card
- Let him describe his concerns first and listen without defending the facility. Find out what is behind his anger, for example what he saw or was told, rather than assuming a reason. Acknowledge that he was worried before you explain anything.
- Explain her care in order: the skin tear is dressed, nothing on initial assessment suggests a fracture or head injury, and neurological observations are happening because the fall was unwitnessed. Do not say she is definitely fine.
- Mention the assessment for possible delirium, including the medicine review, without naming a cause, as none is established. Tell him this review looks at things that could contribute, including medicines that raise bleeding risk.
- Introduce bed rails by acknowledging that keeping her in bed sounds safe, then explain the risk of serious injury and loss of strength and independence. Pair this at once with the fall prevention steps, so he hears what is being done.
- She usually makes everyday decisions with support and has agreed to updates to him, so involve her in the plan. Close by agreeing who will update him, how often, and how he can raise concerns, without promising no further falls.
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- I can see how upsetting it was to hear about your mother's fall.
- Tell me what worries you most, so I can address it properly.
- Wanting to keep her safe makes sense. Let me explain why bed rails could do harm.
- Your mother has agreed that we keep you updated, and we will include her in decisions.
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| delirium | A sudden change in alertness and clear thinking, which can have treatable causes. |
| neurological observations | Regular checks of alertness, eyes, movement and strength after a fall, to pick up any change. |
| falls risk review | A check of what could make her more likely to fall, and ways to reduce that. |
How this card is marked
Two assessors mark the recording on nine criteria: intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language and resources of grammar and expression (each 0–6), then relationship building, understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective, providing structure, information gathering and information giving (each 0–3). Grade B usually means 5 on each language criterion and 2 on each clinical one. See the AI Speaking practice guide for what each criterion looks for.
More Medicine role-play cards
- GP: a mother's worries about her baby's 6-month immunisations Community clinic
- Chest pain: patient wishes to self-discharge Hospital ward
- Transient ischaemic attack: advice not to drive Community clinic
All sets: nurses, doctors, other professions. Your profession's guide: OET Medicine.
Questions about this role-play
What if he blames the facility for the fall?
Do not argue or speculate about fault. Acknowledge his distress, explain what has been done since, and say the circumstances of the fall will be reviewed through the facility's normal process, if that applies locally. Keep to facts you know.
Can I tell him everything about her health?
She has agreed that her son may receive updates, so share what is relevant to this fall and her care. Because she usually decides with support, ask her views as well and avoid making decisions with him on her behalf.
How do I explain bed rails without sounding dismissive?
Start from his goal of keeping her safe, then explain that rails can lead to serious injury and make her weaker and less independent. Immediately offer alternatives: a low bed, sensor mat, physiotherapy and a falls risk review.
Sources
Last checked 22 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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