Six mental health trusts in London will roll out a digital tool in 2024-25 to support the assessment of people detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA), OneLondon has announced.
The OneLondon eMHA programme, supported by NHS England frontline digitalisation funding of around £5 million, will replace current paper-based processes with Thalamos eMHA software to connect the care pathways of admission, treatment, hospitalization and discharge.
East London NHS Foundation Trust will be the first to start using the solution in summer 2024 and the rest of London's trusts will follow by April 2025.
Iain Sear, head of communications and engagement at OneLondon, told Digital Health: “It's about better supporting health and care professionals, helping people who really need it and ensure they get appropriate care more quickly. »
Thalamos eMHA software will enable staff to complete MHA documents in the mental health trusts' electronic patient record and prescription management e-administration systems.
Health and care staff will share documents securely between relevant organizations and view documents via the London Care Record whatever trust created them.
Dr Paul Gilluley, chief medical officer of the North East London Integrated Care Board and lead owner responsible for the OneLondon eMHA programme, welcomed the replacement of the “outdated paper process”.
“I have no doubt that this important program will make a positive difference to mental health care in the capital,” added Gilluley.
Thalamos eMHA software has already been introduced to other parts of the UK, including Cheshire and the Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, where it has been in use since 2020.
Arden Tomison, founder and CEO of Thalamos, said: “Our software is already making a positive difference to patients in different parts of the country and we look forward to seeing these benefits brought across the capital. »
OneLondon is a collaboration between London's five integrated care systems and the London Ambulance Service, established in May 2018 to transform services.
Luke Readman, Director of Digital Transformation at NHS England (London), said: “The London Care Record and Universal care plan are great examples of the positive impact we can have by working together in the capital.
“I am confident that the OneLondon eMHA program will be just as effective in supporting safer, faster and more integrated care for Londoners.”
Mental health trusts participating in the OneLondon eMHA program are: East London NHS Foundation Trust; North East London NHS Foundation Trust; North London Mental Health Partnership; Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust; Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; and South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
East London NHS Foundation Trust has been using an earlier version of Thalamos eMHA software since 2022.