Clinical Guidelines in Old Age Psychiatry Tom Dening, Brian Lawlor London: Martin Dunitz. 2002. 208 pp. ISBN: 1-84184-029-7

First there was the publication of Assessment Scales in Old Age Psychiatry in 1999, providing a comprehensive collection of scales to measure the various manifestations of mental and physical diseases affecting older people. Now, the formidable duo Burns and Lawlor return, having teamed up with Tom Dening to produce another user-friendly companion.

Clinical Guidelines in Old Age Psychiatry provides a source of direct and systematic advice to people working in, and responsible for, services for older people. It aims to improve the quality of patient care as well as achieving more standardised and consistent practice. Furthermore, it invites us to challenge and reflect upon our own clinical practice. It also serves, as before, to put old age psychiatry firmly on the agenda of those involved with commissioning, planning and financing services for older people.

It includes chapters on dementia, depression and other disorders and conditions such as delirium, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and learning disability. In addition, there are general statements varying from the National Service Framework for Older People to Home Alone.

Inevitably, many guidelines are consensus statements or practice policies, due to the lack of evidence from randomised controlled trials and other research studies. Most guidelines currently in use originate from professional bodies such as the various Royal Colleges and diverse national and international organisations.

The use of the single assessment process will certainly increase. Hopefully, public agencies and patient groups will have a greater involvement in the preparation of future editions of this book.

Considering the wealth of guidelines and statements on a multitude of aspects relating to older people's lives, the absence of any guidance on sexual health and relationships remains remarkable, particularly as the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is highest in this group. However, this is a minor criticism and no doubt the next edition will expand on this topic.

I highly recommend this book, not only to all aspiring and practising colleagues in the field, but to everyone aiming to improve both quantity and quality of services for older people in the broadest sense.