Care Services: Assessment should be more convenient

The assessment process for patients who require services should be “quicker, simpler and more convenient”, the government’s Care Services has said.

The department’s comments come as consultation on improving the flow of information between health, social care and wider community support services, launched by the minister Phil Hope, has begun.

“As part of the scheme”, patients will be asked on their views on what changes are required.

Mr Hope said he knew it can be “frustrating” for people when they have to repeatedly provide the same details.

He added: “So we need to make sure information can be shared at the right time and in a secure and confidential way.”

The consultation process will run alongside local authority-led partnerships, known as demonstrator sites.

Last month, health secretary Alan Johnson announced an independent review team would be assessing patients’ access to NHS dentistry services.

The group will investigate why it varies from place to place within the UK.