Assessment of Older People's Health and Social Care Needs and ...

• cross programmejmulti-sectoral commitment to integrated care• the development of quality information systems to underpin the integrated approach to serviceplanning, delivery and evaluation. We have, for example, begun work on the development of asingle database for older people in the NEHB which includes their functional status. It is envisagedthat availability of such data will inform appropriate and effective planning of future servicerequirements.Developing a Standard Assessment ProcessAims of the ProcessIn developing a standard assessment process, the NEHB has examined local, regional, national andinternational models and has identified the UK single assessment approach as an appropriate processmodel to which we can refer in developing our own approach. The aims of the UK model are to:• raise standards to validate equity of access and accountability• reduce duplication and inconsistencydevelop person-centred care as a standard• support good practices and professional judgement• promote effective and appropriate outcomes• promote a standardised and efficient professional approach to assessment• support service integration processes.Implementation ProcessIn terms of the implementation process, the steps we are currently working on are as follows:• agree the purpose and outcomes• agree shared valuesagree terminologymap care processes• estimate target population• agree stages of assessment• relate diagnosis to assessment• agree the assessment domains• agree tools and scales• agree joint working• agree the single assessment summary• develop inter- and multi-disciplinary education and professional development.Assessment of Older People's Health and Social Care Needs and Preferences