UCP Expands Joint Care Initiatives for Thousands More London Residents

Key Takeaways

Over 96,000 Londoners now have personalized care plans through the Universal Care Plan (UCP), up from 82,000 a year ago.
The UCP has expanded to include care pathways for frailty, dementia, learning disabilities, and autism.
Patients can now access their care plans via the NHS App, with efforts underway to allow direct input into their plans.

Expansion of Universal Care Plan Enhances Care for Londoners

A year after its expansion, the Universal Care Plan (UCP) is significantly improving healthcare for thousands of London residents. This NHS initiative allows Londoners to have their medical care plans shared digitally among health and care professionals, ensuring more integrated support.

Currently, over 96,000 individuals in London have a care plan recorded in the UCP system, marking an increase from approximately 82,000 at the time of last year’s expansion. This includes over 12,300 people with frailty, more than 11,800 with dementia, and around 250 caregivers.

Nick Tigere, head of the UCP Programme, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating that additional care pathways have equipped healthcare professionals with essential clinical tools. “We have taken another step in equipping our health and care professionals with the clinical tools they need to better support their patients,” Tigere noted. The aim is to ensure that every Londoner who requires a UCP can access one, further enhancing joined-up care.

The UCP’s recent developments include extending care planning to address specific conditions like dementia and frailty. Previous expansions added support for sickle cell disease, diabetes, and chronic pain patients.

In constructing a care plan, health professionals engage in discussions with patients, tailoring solutions that reflect each individual’s preferences and medical background. Once created, these plans become accessible to all relevant health services in an emergency, ensuring that patient wishes are respected.

Data from OneLondon indicates that in 2025, approximately 453,000 care plans were viewed by healthcare staff, a significant 30% increase from the previous year, with urgent care staff accounting for about 130,000 views—up 62% from 2024.

Barbara Benedek, a member of the UCP’s people with lived experience group, shared her reassurance as a patient: “It is reassuring to know that if I need medical care urgently, the paramedics and A&E staff will be informed about my medical conditions and my wishes regarding care.” This sentiment underscores the UCP’s impact on patient peace of mind.

In addition to sharing care plans, patients can now access their plans through the NHS App or a web browser, which enhances their confidence in how their care is communicated. Future developments are underway to allow patients to directly contribute to their care plans via these platforms, further facilitating personalized medical care.

Overall, the UCP continues to play a vital role in enhancing the management of care for Londoners, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate care tailored to their unique circumstances.

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