Encouraging your patients to create a Universal Care Plan
The
Universal Care Plan (UCP) is an NHS service that digitally shares the care preferences and support needs of residents in London.
Currently the UCP supports Londoners of all ages receiving end-of-life and palliative care as well as those with sickle cell disease and other long-term conditions including dementia, frailty, learning disabilities and autism. It also supports carers by recording carer contingency plans.
The benefit to patients are substantial as it better enables them to be cared for and treated in a way that is compatible with their wishes and expectations. It also reduces the chance of patients needing to repeat information to others involved in their care, or have their needs misunderstood.
However, we realise that not all patients in these vulnerable groups have a UCP set-up. We would encourage you to approach any patients eligible to do so, and have an initial conversation with them to draw up the initial parts of the plan
We also request that you encourage patients who are signed up to UCP remind them they can review their plan in the NHS App. This will allow them to check what information is being held on them, and that it is up-to-date and accurate.