Cyber Security
We are all aware from the news that we live in challenging times in terms of cyber security, with recent attacks on NHS trusts and suppliers making national news. The UCP team is focused on ensuring we have a secure and safe system, and we proactively test, risk assess and take action as needed. Much of the work is ‘behind the scenes’ but over the coming months we will be rolling out visible changes such as an improvement to the web portal lock out process and enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all portal users.
The majority of users access the UCP directly from their clinical system; if this is available to you, this is the most secure way to access the UCP and means you do not have to sign in separately to the UCP.
We have shared some ways you can help us with cyber security below.
Personalised Carer Contingency Plan Lunch and Learn
In mid May, Lucy (UCP Transformation Manager) and Tomas (UCP Clinical Transformation Lead) presented at the Personalised Carer Contingency Plan Lunch and Learn alongside colleagues from NHS England and Carer’s Trust to launch the carer contingency plan that is available within the UCP. The Carer Contingency Plan was co-designed by professionals from local authorities and NHS services who support carers; representatives from Carer’s Trust as well as carers themselves. The UCP alerts health and social care professionals, including urgent care services, if a patient is an unpaid carer and provides details for replacement care during emergencies. This increases the visibility and support for unpaid carers as well as helping ensure the cared-for-person is supported to remain safe during any period of their carer’s absence. Cared-for people can have their own UCP to document their health and wellbeing needs and this can be easily located by professionals arranging replacement care.
It was fantastic to see so many people join the session – thank you to everyone who joined us! If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of the carer contingency plan, you can watch this video.
UCP integration with Medicus is now live
The UCP is now live with an in-context link integration from Medicus GP system. This enables GP practices using Medicus to access the UCP directly from their clinical system, making it easier to view and edit patients’ UCPs and preventing the need for a separate sign-in.
If users experience any issues accessing the UCP via Medicus, please contact the UCP helpdesk.
UCP Monthly Report
It was another strong month for the UCP with over 29,000 total care plan views by frontline health and care staff. For the second month in a row there were over 13,000 views by staff working in urgent and emergency care.
Dying Matter Week
In May, Tomas Ince, UCP Clinical Transformation Lead attended a workshop at Jewish Care to mark Dying Matters Awareness Week and explore new opportunities for UCP adoption.
He shared:
‘With an aging population, care homes are fast becoming the new hospices and places of death for older adults. If families, health and care professionals can begin to normalise conversations about wishes and preferences for death and document these in the UCP, it makes conversations and decisions at the end of life easier for all those involved and allows people to have a peaceful dignified death.’
Learning Disability Week
The 16th – 22nd June is Learning Disability Week and this year’s theme ‘do you see me?’ highlights the important of recognising and listening to the voices of people with learning disabilities. Later this month, we’ll be sharing a news article with more information on how the UCP supports people with a learning disability and the ongoing work to increase utilisation.
If there are any events at your organisation that will raise awareness of the UCP, we are here to support these. Please get in touch.
Dates for the Diary
9th – 15th June – Carers Week. If there are any events at your organisation that will raise awareness of the UCP, we are here to support these. Please get in touch.
16th – 22nd June – Learning Disability Week
25th June 9:30-10:30 – UCP Champions Networking Meeting. If you would like to be part of our champions group, please get in touch.
8th July 1-2pm – Webinar for primary care staff in NCL. We will explain what the UCP is, how to access it and its primary care use case. If you would like to register, please click here.