This page is intended to act as a guide to help clinical staff effectively use the DST-PH. Throughout this webpage, you will be able to find a comprehensive set of resources. These are here to support you in addressing an individual’s vulnerability of dying from avoidable causes, and what interventions to be put in place to reduce vulnerability
The content throughout this page covers key areas such as how to complete the DST-PH, commonly asked questions and answers and top tips. Each sub-page offers specific guidance on different parts of the tool, practical examples to guide you through the process, and suggestions for interventions based on the Red-Amber-Yellow rating system.
We hope that everything you may need is available on this page, however, if there is anything you can’t find please do not hesitate to email us at cwp.
There are some areas of the tool that could be rated more than once. This is classed as ‘Double scoring’ and is where a person is rated in two separate sections for the same physical health condition or concern.
A number of examples are detailed throughout the guidance to help direct people completing the tool to avoid double scoring. Where this is not reflected in the clinical guidance then clinicians are to ensure they only rate one particular condition in one area.
It is important that all clinicians regularly review an individual’s Decision Support Tool for Physical Health.
The importance of regular review of the DST-PH is essential to ensure communication is being maintained with all relevant health and care professionals and a person’s identified physical health interventions are aligned with their current needs and plan of care.
The RAY rating of the tool within the guidance will indicate different review periods dependent on a person’s level of need which is detailed in the ‘Action Section’. It is important to highlight, the tool should still be updated as and when there is a change to a person’s health needs.
