NHS Greater Manchester launches digital care plan and patient app

NHS Greater Manchester has announced plans to roll out digital care plans and a patient app in a bid to provide more personalized care for patients.

The launch will build on the GM Care Record system, which provides health and social care professionals with health information, including medications, allergies, test results and care plans, for the region’s 2.8 million people.

Digital care plans, initially focused on dementia and heart failure, will be accessible through the shared care record, allowing clinical teams from different sectors to see the care plan and agreed patient preferences.

They will replace paper plans with standardized digital versions accessible in all care settings through the GM Care Record.

Meanwhile, the My GM Care app will give patients access to key information from the GM Care Registry, including new care plans.

The planned app allows patients to actively participate in their care by contributing to care plans, monitoring vitals such as blood pressure and weight, and sharing personal information with healthcare professionals.

Dr Amir Hannan, GP at Haughton Thornley Medical Centres, said: “My GM Care could be the next game changer for the people of Greater Manchester, allowing people to take more control of their healthcare, allowing them to -monitor their health and well-being, being better prepared for any future event, as well as in the event of an emergency, and helping to plan future care alongside the NHS app or equivalent GP app.”

The new developments are the result of a collaboration between NHS Greater Manchester, Health Innovation Manchester and technology provider Graphnet.

Dementia United and the Pumping Marvelous Foundation have also been involved in the work on digital care plans.

Dr Saif Ahmed, clinical digital lead at Health Innovation Manchester, said the plans were “a great step in ensuring reduced variation in care across Greater Manchester”.

“Uploading digital dementia care plans and heart failure care plans in the pilot phase demonstrates the demand for digital solutions to facilitate seamless sharing of care plans and ensure equitable care delivery for all,” he added.

Digital care plans and the My GM Care app are coming to the end of ‘proof of value’ pilot phases in three Greater Manchester localities, with a wider rollout planned by the end of 2024.

Andrew Palmer, Program Lead, GM Care Record at Health Innovation Manchester, is one of the finalists in the Digital Health Networks 2024 awards., which will take place at Durham University Summer Schools on 18-19 July 2024.