NHS England has published its delivery plan for Personalised Care under the NHS Long-term Plan commitments.
The plan sets out how people will be able to actively shape their own care and support. It consists of six evidence-based components: shared decision making, personalised care and support planning, enabling choice and including legal rights to choice, social prescribing and community-based support, supported self-management, personal health budgets and integrated personal budgets.
A further 21 actions have been identified to implement these across England, guided by NHS England’s partnerships with local government, the voluntary and community sector and people with lived experience.
It is estimated that Personalised Care will benefit up to 2.5 million people by 2024, giving them the same choice and control over their mental and physical health as in every other aspect of their life.
The key features of Personalised Care have been co-produced with people with lived experience. These include: that everyone should be seen as a whole person within the context of their whole life, valuing their skills, strengths, experience and important relationships; that they are able to access information and advice that is clear, timely and meets their individual information needs and preferences; and they are valued as an active participant in conversations and decisions about their health and well-being.
The plan outlines the aim to improve choice at the end of life by improving identification of people who are likely to die within the next 12 months; having better, proactive conversations for people to identify their wishes and preferences; and integrated services which wrap around people, facilitated by improved sharing of key information.
Commenting in response to the plan, Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, said:
“We are very pleased to see the NHS committing to delivering care that is driven by, and more responsive to peoples’ individual needs.
“Similarly, the recognition that supporting people goes beyond purely treating their physical symptoms is very welcome. Providing more holistic support, including through social prescribing and community-based care, is vital to helping people to live better for longer and to avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.
“Hospice and palliative care services lead the way on providing personalised, holistic care for people affected by terminal or life-limiting conditions. Making personalised care and support ‘business as usual’ in the health and care system will require services, including the voluntary sector, to work closer together than ever before. This plan provides a blueprint to make that a reality.”
For more information visit NHS England: Personalised Care
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