Health and Social Care Joint Working

Governing Principles of Joint Working

Moving towards an integrated assessment process

The contact and overview assessment tools have been locally developed, based on good practice evidence and national guidelines. The contact assessment tool in particular is being seen as the standard format for referral and has been adopted by:

• GP's
• Social and Health services
• District Nursing
• Accident and Emergency / Medical Assessment Unit
• Transfer Service
• Dementia Team
• Community Mental Health Team
• Ashton Renewal Older People's Project

The Single Assessment Process and care management flowchart 27.98 KB sets out a standardised process that allows for the integration of assessment functions, assessment types and information sharing. It has been designed to cater for the management of both complex and non-complex social and health care needs.

This flowchart is supported by the use of standardised Contact and Overview assessment documentation and Staff Guidance, which has been based on evidence of best practice. In addition, a Protocols Manual 248.38 KB has been produced to help inform professionals of service practice and operations. Services included in this manual to date are:

• Social Care and Health
• District Nursing
• Intermediate Care
• Mental Health
• Continuing Health Care
• The Old Age Specialist Multidisciplinary Team