Cara Afzal, Programme Director for Digital & Data at Health Innovation Manchester, explores how a strategic commitment to integrated care planning could support preventative patient-centred care.

I recently read the HSJ article ‘Targets “too constrictive” as health expectancy gap widens,’ and it’s no surprise that system leaders are cautioning that national targets may be hindering efforts to address the widening life expectancy gap. If you’re a HSJ subscriber, you can access the article here bit.ly/3XuUbNW.

At the Health Innovation Manchester Digital Transformation Office, we’ve been discussing how we can better support our healthcare system in improving the health of our population. With the increasing burden of disease and co-morbidity, it’s crucial that we empower our patients to effectively manage their conditions

Preventative care is crucial for improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and ensuring that individuals receive the most appropriate care at the right time. The GM Care Record (GMCR) offers a powerful platform to achieve these goals. However, to fully leverage this digital asset, we need to be ambitious and think how a strategic commitment to integrated care planning across the region could help support patient-centred care.

The power of integration

The GMCR is a major investment in our digital infrastructure, it has been designed to support the seamless sharing of health and social care information. With the ability to integrate data across various care settings, it empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, improve care coordination, and tailor care plans to individual needs. Yet, the potential of this system remains underutilised. Something we are working to address. To unlock its full value, embracing integrated care planning as the cornerstone of our care strategy could offer opportunity.

Why integrated care planning matters

Integrated care planning allows healthcare providers to move beyond fragmented care, adopting a more holistic approach to patient care. My clinical colleagues, Saif Ahmed and Jacqui Cooper have been emphasising the importance of a 360-degree view of the patient journey and how digital solutions can provide this. This approach is not just about improving coordination among different care providers; it’s about personalising care, enhancing patient engagement, and ultimately improving outcomes. Digital care plans enable healthcare teams to collaborate more effectively, ensuring that each patient’s unique needs and preferences are met, particularly in critical areas like end-of-life care

By supporting integrated care planning, we can lead the way in creating a more connected, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare system. The GMCR, as an ICS-wide digital asset, plays a pivotal role in this transformation, providing a unified platform for multi-agency care planning Alistair Reid-Pearson, our GMCR Product Director keeps banging the drum for enhancing the GMCR to ensure from a technical view point we future-proof the product.

We are fortunate to work in a integrated care system, with close working with our ICS under the leadership of Jim Ritchie.

Strategic drivers and national alignment

National health strategies continue to emphasise the importance of integrated care, with a focus on preventing the escalation of health issues, personalising care, and enhancing patient experiences. Digital care plans are central to this vision, offering numerous benefits, including better access to patient information, improved care coordination, and more efficient resource use.

We could say integrated care planning is not just a strategic priority; it is a necessity for achieving the ambitious goals set out in national health policies. The GMCR capabilities align perfectly with these objectives, supporting the creation of a lifelong, joined-up health and social care record.

Immediate actions and long-term vision

The ambition for Greater Manchester is to consider wider adoption of Integrated Care and Support Plans (ICSPs) and Electronic Palliative Care Coordination System (EPaCCS) as foundational elements of person-centred care, as well as Heart Failure and Dementia Care Plans. These digital tools will be critical in enhancing patient outcomes, particularly in managing chronic conditions and end-of-life care. You can read more here bit.ly/3xU3Kxa.

However, for this vision to become a reality, targeted communication, robust support systems, and comprehensive training are essential. Our Teams have started projects in selected localities; to refine these tools and ensure their effectiveness and we are now considering wider implementation. With scoping work being led by Andrew Palmer and Mike Crowther.

By fully embracing integrated care planning and making strategic use of the GMCR, the region can set a new standard for preventative care. This approach not only aligns with national priorities but also promises to deliver significant benefits for patients, healthcare providers, and the system.

We could lead the way in creating a more efficient, patient-centred healthcare system, ensuring that every individual receives the care they need when they need it.

Read Cara’s original post on LinkedIn.