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The single assessment process single assessment summary - worked example

  • Document type:
    Publication
  • Author:
    Department of Health
  • Published date:
    26 September 2002
  • Primary audience:
    Professionals
  • Gateway reference:
    2002
  • Pages:
    7
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown Copyright

This worked example is aimed to help local NHS bodies and councils develop their single assessment summaries as part of implementation of the single assessment process for older people.

Annex I of the 28 January 2002 guidance on the single assessment process for older people included information sets that should be generated as a result of an individual being assessed, and who possibly goes on to receive services. The generation of these information sets, which when collated comprise a single assessment summary, is as important a part of the single assessment process as the completion of the assessment itself. The single assessment summary, rather than the actual assessment instruments or forms, may be the main means by which assessment information is initially shared by agencies. This will be particularly true when a well-organised off-the shelf or home-grown assessment tool, is not in use. If, however, local assessment instruments - based on either off-the-shelf or home-grown assessment tools - explicitly include the details set out in Annex I, and other parts of the guidance, it may be possible to dispense with a separate single assessment summary because the summary will be part of the tool. The value of the single assessment summary, presented as the worked example, is that it draws all the required information together in one place.

When deciding how best to use the worked example of the single assessment summary, localities should note that :

  • The worked example is not an assessment tool as it does not tell professionals how to collect assessment information, and it does not make connections between different assessment domains. It has been designed to collect, in a consistent manner, the results of a good assessment under the single assessment process.
  • The worked example may be downloaded and used as it is. Equally, its contents may be incorporated into local documentation.
  • The worked example provides the minimum of single assessment information that should be generated and initially shared. Hence localities may wish to add to it. In doing so they should take care not to add too much as that would defeat its purpose. More detailed assessment information can be accessed if appropriate once the summary has been read.
  • Localities are advised to secure use of the NHS number as the unique case number. Page 7 of the worked example of the single assessment summary gives further details.
  • The summary may be completed over time, rather than in one assessment discussion or during one episode of care.
  • The summary should not be reliant on what approach to assessment is taken by a locality. Should an off-the-shelf or home-grown assessment tool be chosen for overview assessment, or should a simple checklist approach be adopted, the locality still has a responsibility to generate the outputs of Annex I, as brought together in the worked example of the single assessment summary.
  • However, where local approaches to off-the-shelf or home grown assessment tools are so developed, that information for the single assessment summary can be readily generated by the tool, there may be no need for a separate single assessment summary. The summary will be an integral part of the tool.
  • Whereas different localities may use different approaches to assessment, the use of the single assessment summary, as part of a tool or as a stand-alone document, as suggested in the worked example will ensure consistency in the type and quality of information that is shared between agencies and professionals.
  • As long as localities have taken an approach to assessment that is consistent with the 28 January 2002 guidance, different localities should readily accept each other's single assessment summaries.

The worked example includes reminders that professionals and agencies should take full account of the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality when collecting and sharing information about individuals. The underlying principle is one of informed consent. Localities should also pay due regard to the Data Protection and Human Rights Acts of 1998, and recent guidance issued to the NHS and councils on Caldicott.

As with most aspects of the single assessment process that deal with assessment information, the single assessment summary will only be fully effective if used as part of an integrated electronic information system, spanning health and social care.

Please click on the following link to access the worked example of the single assessment summary.

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