OneLondon’s UCP expands to sickle cell disease patients

The Universal Care Plan (UCP), OneLondon’s shared care planning solution has been extended to support sickle cell disease patients and integrated with the NHS National Record Locator (NRL) and the NHS App.

OneLondon’s UHP platform, powered by Better, was expanded from supporting end-of-life patients to including to people with sickle cell disease in March 2024.

Managing sickle cell disease effectively requires comprehensive care planning and prompt treatment interventions, with symptoms ranging from anaemia to severe pain episodes known as sickle cell crisis.

Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with the disease have their treatment in London.

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”.

OneLondon’s solution also integrated with the NHS App in November 2023, meaning patients now have their care plans at their fingertips to show healthcare professionals as they move around the capital and across the rest of the country.

Between November 2023 to March 2024, the app saw 20,000 ‘jump-offs’ to the care plan, where users have clicked through from the NHS App to the UCP platform.

At the end of January 2024, the UCP integrated with the NRL, allowing London and out of London urgent care services to view a UCL 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.

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.

Darren Ransley, managing director UK & 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.”

A spokesperson for OneLondon told Digital Health News that, as part of the ongoing efforts to further enhance the UCP’s capabilities, there are plans to include additional cohorts, including dementia, frailty, children and young people, learning disabilities, and others.

These developments underscore the UCP’s commitment to addressing evolving healthcare needs and advancing person-centred care initiatives across London.

The UCP was first deployed across London in August 2022 and by September 2023 24,000 new care plans had been created on the platform.