Key Takeaways
- Over 100,000 care plans created using the Universal Care Plan (UCP) since its launch in July 2022.
- The UCP supports various long-term conditions, ensuring personalized care is shared among healthcare professionals in London.
- More than 30,000 care plans are accessed monthly by health staff, improving emergency care response.
Universal Care Plan Milestone
The Universal Care Plan (UCP), a digital service introduced by the NHS in London, has successfully facilitated the creation of over 100,000 personalized care plans since its launch in July 2022. Initially aimed at assisting with advance and urgent care planning, the program has expanded its scope to include support for individuals with conditions such as sickle cell disease, dementia, frailty, learning disabilities, and autism.
Currently, 101,966 care plans have been generated, with 84,621 living Londoners actively using the system. Nick Tigere, head of the UCL programme, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “In just three years, over 100,000 care plans have been created on the UCP system, helping to ensure Londoners receive the right care at the right time, provided by the right team.” Tigere praised the collective efforts of the many individuals involved and emphasized the ongoing commitment to making UCP accessible to all Londoners in need.
Care plans are established through discussions between patients and healthcare professionals. Once completed, these plans are visible to all healthcare and social care sector professionals utilizing the UCP system, ensuring that a patient’s preferences and wishes are always taken into account. This comprehensive approach enhances the likelihood that patients will receive care aligned with their individual needs.
Patients can view their care plans via the NHS App or web browser, which offers peace of mind regarding the accuracy of shared information among their care teams. Future developments are underway to allow Londoners to contribute more directly to their care plans.
Barbara Benedek, a member of the UCP’s People with Lived Experience Group, expressed how the UCP positively impacts patients: “As a patient, it is reassuring to know that if I need medical care urgently, the paramedics, A&E staff, and others who will look after me will know about my medical conditions, my medication, and my wishes about my care.” She underscored the group’s commitment to ensuring that the needs and preferences of patients remain central to the UCP’s ongoing development.
In addition to its impressive reach, more than 30,000 care plans are accessed by health and care professionals each month, with around 15,000 being reviewed by urgent and emergency care staff. This robust engagement indicates that the UCP is playing a critical role in improving the quality and responsiveness of emergency medical care in London.
The UCP is seen as a vital component of the government’s vision to transition healthcare from treatment-centric approaches to a more proactive and preventive model. By integrating digital solutions into community healthcare practices, the UCP aims to foster better outcomes for patients while aligning with modern healthcare standards.
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