Claire Jones and Meryl James
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Background:
Individuals’ first appointment within the AWMS historically was a dietetic assessment, with the aim of signposting them to the intervention which was most appropriate to meet their needs. Recently the variety of interventions available as part of the AWMS has increased and now include dietetic led, psychology led, medical led, occupational therapy led and physiotherapy led interventions. As the initial assessment was dietetic focussed it often took multiple appointments before an individual’s true needs were identified, resulting in delaying access to appropriate interventions and duplication of assessment, as each person’s needs were reassessed in other areas (i.e. by psychology).
The Project:
A biopsychosocial assessment will be provided to each individual attending the AWMS, incorporating assessment from the full multidisciplinary team (MDT) including dietetics, clinical psychology, medical, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. The assessment can be carried out by any member of the MDT who will each conduct the same standardised assessment.
Approach:
An assessment proforma will be developed and training provided to each member of the MDT. Following the assessment, the decision regarding the most suitable intervention within the AWMS and/or signposting elsewhere will be co-produced with each individual and the MDT, based on each individual’s particular needs.
Anticipated Benefits:
These include a reduction in the length of time taken to accurately identify which intervention would best suit individuals’ needs within the AWMS. It will reduce duplication within the AWMS by removing the need for profession specific assessments as individuals access different interventions across the service. It will improve user satisfaction and experience within the AWMS with individuals not having to repeat their ‘weight management story’ multiple times, and it will improve staff satisfaction within the AWMS.
