OneLondon introduces innovative digital tool to enhance mental health care in London
OneLondon has revealed plans for a groundbreaking digital tool set to revolutionize the assessment process for individuals detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA) across six mental health trusts in London. The implementation of the OneLondon eMHA program, funded by approximately £5 million from NHS England, will streamline current paper-based procedures by integrating Thalamos eMHA software to streamline admission, treatment, hospital stays, and discharge care pathways.
Commencing with East London NHS Foundation Trust in summer 2024, the remaining trusts are scheduled to adopt the solution by April 2025. The software will enable healthcare professionals to complete MHA documentation within electronic patient records and prescription management systems, facilitating seamless document sharing between organizations via the London Care Record.
Dr. Paul Gilluley, chief medical officer at North East London Integrated Care Board and senior responsible owner of the OneLondon eMHA program, praised the transition from outdated paper-based methods and expressed confidence in the program’s positive impact on mental health care in London.
Thalamos eMHA software, also in use at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has been lauded for its positive effects on patient care. Arden Tomison, Thalamos founder and CEO, is optimistic about the software’s potential to enhance mental health services across the capital.
OneLondon, comprising London’s integrated care systems and the London Ambulance Service, strives to transform healthcare services in the region. Luke Readman, director of digital transformation at NHS England (London), anticipates that the OneLondon eMHA program will facilitate safer, more efficient, and coordinated care for Londoners.
The participating mental health trusts include 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 already been using an earlier version of the Thalamos eMHA software since 2022.
