The Universal Care Plan (UCP), OneLondon’s shared care planning solution powered by Better, has in the last year integrated with the NHS National Record Locator (NRL) and the NHS App, while also extending the care plan support for people with sickle cell disease.
These latest developments within the solution, which spans five integrated care boards across the whole of London and has recently celebrated two years of existence, are helping to further integrate care, improve patient outcomes, and drive up engagement, in some cases at record-breaking levels.
Sickle cell disease affects approximately 15,000 people in the UK
OneLondon is a collaborative of London’s five Integrated Care Systems, London Ambulance Service, NHS England (London) and other partners including the Capital’s Health Innovation Networks.
Created in 2018, OneLondon aims to improve healthcare delivery in London by sharing patient data across the NHS and social care services to create a unified care system across London.
Better is a healthcare technology company that offers a low-code digital health platform designed to improve patient care by simplifying data management.
Introduction of sickle cell care plans
Expanding the UCP to support individuals with sickle cell disease is an important step, following the No One's Listening report, calling for major changes in sickle cell care.
Sickle cell disease affects approximately 15,000 people in the UK. Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with the disease have their treatment in London.
Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with the disease have their treatment in London
With symptoms ranging from anaemia to severe pain episodes known as sickle cell crisis, managing this condition effectively requires comprehensive care planning and prompt treatment interventions.
Since the launch of the care plans, 5,000 people with the disease now have a plan on the integrated care platform, meaning the service is close to supporting everyone who is cared for in the capital.
Nick Tigere, Head of the UCP Programme, said: "I think this is a real game changer for people with sickle cell disease. They are now able to confidently seek the medical attention they need while in crisis, knowing fully that the services they attend, wherever they attend in London, will be aware of consolidated key information on diagnosis, symptom management, and treatment options. Supporting healthcare professionals with immediate access to this critical information is facilitating timely interventions and improved care. It really has been transformative for people’s care
pathway."
National Record Locator integration
With the new National Record Locator (NRL) integration in place, London and out of London urgent care services are now able to view a UCP on route when responding to a patient in need.
This means that a patient’s care plan, particularly their symptom management requirements, can be delivered immediately as the paramedics make contact with the patient, even when they are away from London.
I think this is a real game changer for people with sickle cell disease
Following the go-live, the number of plans accessed by the Ambulance Service has increased by 20% due to the increased access the integration is providing.
The NRL is an NHS service that allows health and care professionals to find and access patient information shared by other health and care organisations across England to support the direct care of a patient.
NHS App integration
Patients can now also access their UCP in the NHS App, which is a further step towards putting the patients at the heart of their care planning. It means patients have their plans at their fingertips to show healthcare professionals as they move around London and across the rest of the country.
In an emergency, patients may not be able to articulate or communicate their wishes and preferences, and they can defer to showing clinicians the plan on the app.
The increased accessibility is also empowering patients to take a more active role in managing their information and ensuring it is up to date.
In four months, the app has seen 20,000 jump-offs to care plans, and if a plan isn’t in place, it’s helping to initiate conversations with clinicians to create one, which is in turn contributing to an increase in overall care plans created. During July, the service celebrated a record-breaking 4,200 care plans being generated on the platform.
In an emergency, patients may not be able to articulate or communicate their wishes and preferences, and they can defer to showing clinicians the plan on the app
Concluding on the new integrations and sickle cell care plans, Tigere added: "The UCP platform has become a well-established tool for health and care professionals and is helping to ensure people have their care wishes and preferences respected. Our role is to enable all parts of the system to quickly access relevant patient information at the right place and right time. I am proud that we continue to enable this for people and our health services with these latest developments."
Darren Ransley, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Better, said: "By expanding access to patient data through the NHS National Record Locator and NHS App, we are advancing interoperability and making healthcare data available anywhere, anytime. These integrations mark a significant step forward in delivering person-centred care and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services."
“By leveraging innovative technology and a person-centred approach, the UCP continues to redefine care delivery standards, setting a new benchmark for integrated healthcare solutions,” Ransley concluded.
At the end of 2024, the UCP will be transformed into a personalised care and support plan with the introduction of new forms and data fields to create a richer picture of the person receiving care.
The new information will cover the PRSB ‘About Me’ standard, living arrangements, medical devices, communication and accessibility requirements, and daily activities and support needs.
