DoH issues consultation paper on the Common Assessment Framework for Adults

The Department of Health has issued a consultation paper describing and requesting feedback on its planned Common Assessment Framework for Adults. The Framework aims to improve the quality and efficiency of care and support provided to adults by improving the way that information is shared by the different people who are involved in providing the care and support. In particular, the consultation looks at developing a more personalised approach to care, so that patients feel that they are being treated as individuals. The consultation document describes how this could be achieved by improving the quality of information held about patients and by looking at what kinds of information should be shared and how IT systems could facilitate this without compromising appropriate arrangements for consent, confidentiality and security. Responses to the document are invited from health and social care commissioners, wider community support services and the voluntary and independent sectors. The general public may also respond and a number of public consultation events are scheduled to take place in January and February. For more information, to read the full consultation paper and to find out how to respond, please visit the DoH website.