Dynamic Support Database (DSD) and Clinical Support Tool

This programme covers the background to and use of the DSD Tool developed by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Learners are given a number of vignettesto work through and are assessed on their ability to correctly use the tool. Learners can select Adult or CYP versions of this programme once launched.

As part of the national Transforming Care agenda, the Care and Treatment Review (CTR) Policy (NHS England 2015) requested that commissioners hold a local database of people with a learning disability, autism or both who are at risk of an inpatient admission. As commissioners are tasked with holding the local database and keeping this information active and dynamic, they need support from clinicians in the community teams to know who is at risk of admission.

The DSD clinical support tool was developed within the Cheshire and Wirral NHS Foundation Trust to support the flow of information to commissioners in a standardised and consistent manner. The tool comprises of 19 items. The scores are weighted to reflect the extent to which each question is an indicator of increased risk of admission. It provides an overall RAG (red, amber, and green) rating which reflects current levels of risk of admission to inpatient services. Both child and adult versions of the tool are available.

As well as providing standardisation in relation to levels of risk of admission, the tool also provides support to clinicians and guidance on the structure of support.