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Tools used to implement the single assessment process must support good practice not replace it, a Department of Health's spokesperson said last week.

Raymond Warburton, head of social care for older people at the DoH, told a London conference that assessment tools and scales can "ensure that good practice becomes the norm". They can also provide a consistent approach to assessment and a ready means of recording and sharing assessment information.

"The single assessment process is about a standardised and efficient approach and one in which professionals trust each other's judgement," he said.

An overview assessment tool should make clear how older people contribute to their assessment, should be suitable for NHS and social care professionals, and cover the impact of older people's environments, relationships and other external factors.

One of the reasons for introducing a single assessment process was because "hitherto, many assessments missed key health and social care conditions and misdiagnosed them," he explained to the conference organised by Harrogate Centre for Excellence in Health & Social Care.

- Tools and guidance can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/scg/sap/toolsandscales/index.htm