South London Office of Specialised Services

The Universal Care Plan (UCP) is a digital patient care record. It is currently being expanded, across all of London, to meet the needs of those with sickle cell disorder across all settings of care, which means being able to access digital care records online.   The UCP has been designed to improve handover between emergency and acute care for sickle cell pain crises. The new template offers clinical guidance and personalised, and individualised care plans, helping to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, delays in treatment, and ensure patients receive care at the right time and place.   With consistent information sharing between services, it will reduce clinical conflict and support better communication, inclusion, and accessibility for patients, allowing them to be actively involved in their care.   Across south London, over 3,250 records for patients with sickle cell disorder have already been uploaded to the UCP. People living with sickle cell can now personalise their care by registering their treatment preferences directly on the NHS app, ensuring future care is tailored to their needs.   This Black History Month, we recognise the importance of initiatives like the UCP in driving health equity and improving outcomes for communities affected by sickle cell disorder. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBBNk-YH   #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

This Black History Month we are spotlighting health disparities that affect Black communities, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), in which Black adults are nearly four times more likely to develop kidney failure compared to other populations. The six south west London boroughs have committed to enhancing early detection and management of CKD in the community. Aligned with the SWL CKD guidelines and collective objectives, they have successfully launched initiatives in 112 practices (64%) in less than three months which focus on testing and evaluating CKD interventions: - Early detection and prevention: Collaborating with primary care networks (PCNs) to implement CKD management guidelines. - Education and engagement: Raising CKD awareness through training and community outreach. - Data and reporting: Tracking progress to assess key performance indicators. Guided by the south west London CKD management guidelines, south west London is also working to optimise medicines management, implement targeted treatment and develop a CKD register. By embracing these holistic approaches, we aim to enhance CKD care for Black and other ethnic minority communities, improving outcomes and ensuring equitable access for all. This Black History Month, let's reaffirm our commitment to closing the health disparity gap and delivering life-changing interventions. Learn more on the South West London Integrated Care System website here: https://lnkd.in/epZdApYq #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

This Black History Month, we’re spotlighting the urgent need to address health inequalities, particularly in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the UK, people from Black and South Asian communities are 3-5 times more likely to need dialysis, and those from lower-income backgrounds experience faster progression to kidney failure.   In south east London, we’re embedding vital recommendations from Kidney Research UK, into our multi-morbidity model of care, whilst working collaboratively, to enhance the health of the local population. We are doing this through: - Community engagement and screening - Remote testing - Quality improvement - Upskilling healthcare professionals   Learn more about what south east London is doing to address health inequalities for CKD in the infographic below, and here: https://lnkd.in/eBBNk-YH   #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

People living with multiple long-term conditions often experience a lack of coordination, with multiple appointments in multiple settings, and a lack of personalisation or holistic approach. As explored earlier this week, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, minority ethnic groups and those with serious mental illness are at a greater risk of developing multiple long-term conditions and facing health inequalities.   With over 46,700 in south east London with identified chronic kidney disease (CKD), many with additional long-term conditions, and over 350,000 at heightened risk of developing CKD, there is significant need for transformation of services for those living with multiple long-term conditions, and those who face significant inequalities. In addition, 40% of the population living with CKD, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are from minority ethnic groups, which is disproportionate to this population in south east London.   In response to this, the South East London Integrated Care System has been working with Primary Care Networks, community staff and secondary care staff to set up a new and innovative model of care. Currently in seven Integrated Neighbourhood Teams across south east London, the model will use existing clinical and non-clinical resources to build teams that provide holistic and joined-up care in the community. This will support the south east London population to have better health outcomes, be healthier for longer and avoid end stage kidney disease and dialysis, leading to a more sustainable and effective model of care.   Lean more: https://lnkd.in/eBBNk-YH   #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

This week for Black History Month, we want to talk about the health inequalities found among people living with multiple long-term conditions, and how services can provide support. It has been found that people from disadvantaged backgrounds, minority ethnic groups, and those with serious mental illness are at the greatest risk of developing multiple long-term conditions. People on the lowest incomes are four times more likely to have multiple long-term conditions than people on the highest incomes.   It is shown that people from ethnic minority groups, including those from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds, are at a significantly increased risk of having multiple conditions, in particular diabetes, chronic pain and cardiovascular disease, and are also more likely to develop conditions earlier. In south east London, 40% of the population living with chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are from minority ethnic groups, which is disproportionate to the population in south east London.   Research suggests that underlying drivers of this may include health-related behaviours, lack of access to material resources and the psychological response to social inequality. Individual experiences of health services often differ significantly, where the needs of disadvantaged groups are often neglected or even made worse by services' responses.   We have a responsibility to best tackle these inequalities and improve health outcomes for those who are most affected. Later this week, we will look at services that are being offered to help confront and tackle health inequalities, including more holistic and integrated care models that are being implemented across south London.   Let's work together to address these challenges and support equitable healthcare for all.   Learn more in the NIHR report addressing the link between health inequalities and multiple conditions here: https://lnkd.in/eKJqauGD   #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

We're committed to addressing inequalities in healthcare for our South London population.   Read our report, "Addressing inequalities in heart valve disease", as featured in the King's Fund's report, "Cardiovascular disease in England". https://lnkd.in/eeer2mpG NHS South London Cardiovascular Networks

The Sickle Cell Society led children and young people peer mentoring programme is a powerful London-wide initiative which pairs young people, aged 10-24, living with sickle cell with mentors who have first-hand experience living with the condition. This Black History Month, we celebrate the importance of initiatives like these in empowering Black communities and addressing health inequalities. By offering tailored advice, emotional support, and guidance the programme helps young people understand and manage their condition, and navigate their transition to adult services, ensuring they feel heard and understood.   The children and young people peer mentoring programme recently appeared on ITV, where Rachel, one of the south east London mentors, and Marilen, one of her mentees, shared about their experience on the scheme. Marilen said: "I love the fact that this programme has mentors that actually have sickle cell; it’s so relatable! When I met my mentor, we sat and spoke for hours and I’ve never felt so satisfied. I finally felt heard, and it was so reassuring to know that I’m not the only one suffering.”   This programme is part of a wider initiative to improve community services for people living with sickle cell disorder. The enhanced services will provide greater holistic support for people living with sickle cell. Each area is tailoring these services to best suit the care of their patients. If you would like to find out more about what is happening in your area, you can reach out to your local red cell care team.   If you are interested in getting involved in the programme, you can ask your nurse, doctor or parent/guardian to fill out the Sickle Cell Society form to register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/ewUBwGeX.   If you have any general enquiries or are interested in becoming a mentor, you can email mentors@sicklecellsociety.org.   South East London Integrated Care System. South West London Integrated Care System, Sickle Cell Society

The Universal Care Plan (UCP) is a digital patient care record. It is currently being expanded, across all of London, to meet the needs of those with sickle cell disorder across all settings of care, which means being able to access digital care records online.   The UCP has been designed to improve handover between emergency and acute care for sickle cell pain crises. The new template offers clinical guidance and personalised, and individualised care plans, helping to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, delays in treatment, and ensure patients receive care at the right time and place.   With consistent information sharing between services, it will reduce clinical conflict and support better communication, inclusion, and accessibility for patients, allowing them to be actively involved in their care.   Across south London, over 3,250 records for patients with sickle cell disorder have already been uploaded to the UCP. People living with sickle cell can now personalise their care by registering their treatment preferences directly on the NHS app, ensuring future care is tailored to their needs.   This Black History Month, we recognise the importance of initiatives like the UCP in driving health equity and improving outcomes for communities affected by sickle cell disorder. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBBNk-YH   #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

The Sickle Cell Society led children and young people peer mentoring programme is a powerful London-wide initiative which pairs young people, aged 10-24, living with sickle cell with mentors who have first-hand experience living with the condition. This Black History Month, we celebrate the importance of initiatives like these in empowering Black communities and addressing health inequalities. By offering tailored advice, emotional support, and guidance the programme helps young people understand and manage their condition, and navigate their transition to adult services, ensuring they feel heard and understood.   The children and young people peer mentoring programme recently appeared on ITV, where Rachel, one of the south east London mentors, and Marilen, one of her mentees, shared about their experience on the scheme. Marilen said: "I love the fact that this programme has mentors that actually have sickle cell; it’s so relatable! When I met my mentor, we sat and spoke for hours and I’ve never felt so satisfied. I finally felt heard, and it was so reassuring to know that I’m not the only one suffering.”   This programme is part of a wider initiative to improve community services for people living with sickle cell disorder. The enhanced services will provide greater holistic support for people living with sickle cell. Each area is tailoring these services to best suit the care of their patients. If you would like to find out more about what is happening in your area, you can reach out to your local red cell care team.   If you are interested in getting involved in the programme, you can ask your nurse, doctor or parent/guardian to fill out the Sickle Cell Society form to register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/ewUBwGeX.   If you have any general enquiries or are interested in becoming a mentor, you can email mentors@sicklecellsociety.org.   South East London Integrated Care System. South West London Integrated Care System, Sickle Cell Society

This Black History Month, we want to highlight the ACT NOW initiative, co-developed by clinicians, experts, and people living with sickle cell disorder, to ensure rapid and effective care during a sickle cell crisis. ACT NOW provides clear clinical guidance and is now available across hospitals in England.   The initiative addresses the challenges identified in the “No One’s Listening” report and aims to improve patient outcomes and experiences. By ensuring healthcare teams are trained and equipped to respond swiftly to sickle cell crises, the NHS is helping to close the gap in health inequalities with sickle cell primarily affecting Black African and Caribbean communities.   Through NHS England's collaboration with organisations like the Sickle Cell Society, and with a growing number of sites evaluating its impact, ACT NOW is crucial for delivering inclusive, equitable care to patients across the country. Find out what ACT NOW stands for in the infographic below.   To support the rollout of the ACT NOW acronym, you can learn more and access resources on the NHS England website here: https://lnkd.in/eHgrzXye.   #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024 #ACTNOW