ABSTRACT
This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Northwick Park Dependency Score (NPDS), which is a clinician rating scale that aims to measure nursing dependency in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. In collaboration with nursing staff, items for the NPDS were selected from existing instruments based on the time required by nurses to assist and supervise patients in the course of their day. The important psychometric properties of the NPDS have been assessed. The NPDS is accompanied by an instruction manual. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.
