Portasana®: Meeting The Personalised Care & Self-Management Needs of NHS Trusts

The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, with increased demands placed on providers and patients navigating unprecedented challenges. The NHS faces record-high waiting lists, staff shortages, and the rising burden of chronic disease management. These pressures demand innovative, scalable solutions that not only empower patients to take control of their health but also streamline operations for overburdened healthcare teams.

At Wellola, we’ve developed Portasana® (the ‘path’ to ‘health’), a platform designed to meet these challenges head-on. By seamlessly integrating care pathways, self-management tools, and care provider stratification systems, Portasana® delivers a truly transformative healthcare experience. Built with input from our NHS Trust client base, it provides a robust, adaptable, and user-friendly approach to modern care delivery.

Addressing Healthcare’s Most Pressing Challenges

The demands on healthcare systems have never been greater. The numbers are stark:

• 7.75 million patients are currently on elective care waiting lists, with over 3 million waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.

• Chronic conditions like diabetes, COPD, and hypertension account for 50% of GP appointments and 70% of hospital bed days.

• Workforce shortages, with a 6.9% vacancy rate, are exacerbating burnout and impacting care delivery.

Amid these challenges, self-management has emerged as a vital tool for tackling the growing demand. Patients who are equipped with the knowledge and tools to manage their conditions experience:

• 19% fewer GP appointments

• 38% fewer A&E attendances

Recognising this, NHS England has placed supported self-management at the heart of its Personalised Care Model. However, existing tools often fail to address the full spectrum of patient and provider needs, focusing narrowly on administrative functions or single conditions. That’s where Portasana® comes in. Portasana® bridges this gap, offering a holistic platform that integrates care delivery, supports multi-condition management, and empowers both patients and providers to achieve better outcomes.

Portasana®: A Platform Built for Modern Healthcare

Portasana® bridges this gap, offering a holistic platform that integrates care delivery, supports multi-condition management, and empowers both patients and providers to achieve better outcomes. Its two core components are designed to address key pain points in care delivery.

Staff Station: Empowering Providers

For clinicians and healthcare administrators, Staff Station is a game-changer. This user-friendly interface is self-serve for Trusts, allows teams to create and manage personalised care pathways with ease. Key features include:

• Customisable Pathways: Build bespoke workflows tailored to specific conditions, from chronic disease management to peri-operative care. Pathways can include educational materials, symptom trackers, and FHIR-compliant e-forms. In fact, providers can choose from any one of Portasana®’s 11 modules

• FHIR-Standard e-Forms: Capture patient data securely and ensure interoperability with EPR systems.

• Educational Resources: Provide Trust-validated materials (videos, PDFs, URLs, etc.) to support patient understanding.

• Symptom Tracking: Monitor patient progress and adjust care plans based on real-time insights.

• Integrated EPR Functionality: Seamless read/write integration with major EPR systems, ensures data continuity across care settings.

• Streamlined Workflows: Risk stratification via staff-facing task lists, dashboard and reporting are all available. Automate routine tasks like appointment scheduling and follow-up management, freeing up time for more complex cases.

Patient Portal: Empowering Individuals

The Patient Portal is where the magic happens for patients. Patients can access the platform via SMS, email, website links, or a mobile app, making it accessible and user-friendly for diverse populations. Designed to foster engagement and independence, it offers:

• Personalised Care Journeys: Patients can access tailored care plans that guide them step-by-step through managing their conditions.

• Symptom Tracking and Reporting: Real-time updates allow patients to share their progress with providers, reducing the need for in-person visits.

• Educational Resources: Trust-approved content helps patients better understand their health and treatment options.

• Wearable Integration: Support for device data, giving patients and providers a comprehensive view of health metrics.

How Portasana® Takes a Holistic Approach to Self-Management

Unlike traditional tools that focus on single conditions or narrow functionalities, Portasana® adopts a comprehensive approach to healthcare. It supports multi-condition management, enabling clinicians to design care pathways that address the overlapping needs of patients with complex health profiles. For example, a patient managing diabetes may simultaneously benefit from pathways addressing hypertension or mental health, ensuring that their care is integrated rather than fragmented.

Portasana® also leverages wearable device integration, providing a seamless flow of real-time health metrics into the patient’s care plan. This feature enables both patients and providers to track progress and make data-driven adjustments to treatments, fostering a dynamic and responsive approach to care.

Crucially, the platform’s scalable design ensures it can grow alongside the needs of healthcare providers. Whether implemented in a single department or across an entire Trust, Portasana® remains adaptable, offering modular features that can be added or refined over time. This flexibility makes it an invaluable asset for NHS Trusts looking to meet evolving demands while maintaining operational efficiency.

Case Study: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

One of Portasana®’s most significant success stories comes from its partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Faced with the challenge of managing patients with multiple chronic conditions, the Trust implemented Portasana®’s Care Pathways Module to streamline and personalise care.

The results we are witnessing are transformative. Patients are reporting higher levels of engagement and satisfaction, thanks to the platform’s personalised pathways and real-time communication tools.

Clinicians, meanwhile, are benefiting from reduced workloads, reduced follow-up appointments, reduced need for diagnostic tests, as Portasana® automated routine tasks and provided actionable insights through its EPR integration. By reducing the need for unnecessary clinic appointments, the Trust has been able to allocate resources more effectively, improving care quality across the board.

Delivering Impact Across the NHS

Portasana® is not just about improving individual experiences; it’s about delivering systemic change. For patients, the platform fosters independence and confidence, empowering them to take an active role in managing their health. By providing access to tailored care plans, educational resources, and tools for symptom tracking, patients feel more informed and capable of making decisions about their care.

Healthcare providers also reap significant benefits. The platform’s ability to automate administrative tasks and integrate seamlessly with EPR systems reduces inefficiencies, freeing up valuable time for clinicians to focus on complex cases. This not only improves operational efficiency but also translates into tangible cost savings for Trusts. For example, Portasana®’s digital care pathways have been shown to reduce follow-up appointments by up to 30% for low-complexity cases, enabling providers to redirect resources where they’re needed most.

Aligning with NHS Priorities

Portasana® supports the NHS’s broader goals of sustainability and digital transformation. By minimising the need for in-person visits, the platform reduces the carbon footprint associated with healthcare travel—a significant contributor to UK emissions. Additionally, its digital-first approach eliminates reliance on paper-based communications, promoting a more eco-friendly healthcare system.

The platform also aligns with NHS England’s commitment to personalised care. By enabling shared decision-making and providing tools for supported self-management, Portasana® helps Trusts deliver care that is both patient-centered and resource-efficient.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Digital Healthcare

As healthcare continues to evolve, Wellola remains committed to driving innovation. Future enhancements to Portasana® include expanded capabilities for predictive analytics, deeper integration with wearable technologies, and even greater customisation options for providers. These developments will ensure that the platform continues to meet the needs of modern healthcare while setting new standards for excellence in patient care.

Join the Movement: Transform Healthcare with Portasana®

Portasana® is already making a difference for Trusts across the UK, across Acute, Community and Mental Healthcare setting. By empowering patients, supporting providers, and aligning with NHS goals, it is paving the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and personalised healthcare system.

Feel free to read more........resources available include our Digital Care Pathways Brochure and Portasana® 2023/2025 Product Brochure.

If you’re ready to transform your organisation, read more in our contact us today to learn more about how Portasana® can support your journey toward better care for all.