South Coast Medical Group is proud to be involved in the Digital Neighbourhood Vanguards Programme, as one of two Innovator Primary Care Networks in Dorset.
This programme will make use of an AI-based digital tool aimed at offering earlier support to people at risk of hospital admission, called Brave AI.
The Brave AI risk assessment tool will rapidly analyse routinely collected GP-held data to identify those most at risk of unscheduled hospital admissions, so that health and care professionals can work together to proactively plan care and support for patients, improving outcomes and reducing demand for urgent and emergency care.
How Does Brave AI Work?
The device uses an algorithm to look for patterns in patients’ records. The technology assesses an individual’s risk of unplanned hospital admission in the next year.
The tool works by analysing routinely collected data from GP practices which they already have on file. It does not require any additional information from patients.
Based on the results from the Brave AI tool, health and care professionals including – nurses, pharmacists, therapists, health coaches, social prescribers, and doctors – will use the information to reach out to those individuals who may need more support.
Care plans can then be put in place involving a full range of health and care professionals, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, health coaches, social prescribers, and the voluntary sector.
What is a Care Plan?
A care plan is usually created following an assessment of a person’s needs and a risk assessment – this process will involve the person receiving the care and sometimes their family or other advocates.
It will consider their medical history, personal details and the expected outcomes. It will also consider what care/support is required and outline who and when this will be delivered. It is person-centred, so while it will consider what care is needed and making sure the care is safe, it will also work towards the outcomes the individual has agreed is right for them. It will focus on what matters to the individual.
A care plan may involve a range of health and care professionals to ensure that the right measures and support are put in place to properly support the person.
You can read more here: NHS England » Personalised care and support planning
What Difference will Brave AI make?
The device will provide the opportunity for vulnerable people at the most risk of unplanned hospital admission to be offered proactive care and support in advance of anything more serious happening. It will also allow teams to approach other people at less risk of admission but before any crisis happens, in a proactive way.
This will help individuals to stay well and prevent unplanned hospital admissions.
It will also mean better, more personalised care for individuals, helping them to stay well and stay at home.
Will I Be Asked to Give Consent?
The tool analyses routinely collected data from GP practices which they already have on file. It does not require any additional information or tests from patients.
Patients agree to their treatment and care, but do not need to be asked for consent for their data to be used specifically for their direct care or treatment.
It is important to highlight that patient data reviewed by the Brave AI tool is completely confidential.
Only registered and approved healthcare professionals licensed to use the device have access to individual patient data. This allows them to contact the relevant patients (if they are identified as at risk) and invite to take part in a holistic assessment so that local, integrated neighbourhood teams of health and care professionals can work together to develop a personalised direct care and support plan, based on what matters to the individual.
Patients contacted after being identified by the tool will have the choice about whether they would like to take part in an assessment.
Patients can also:
- ask their GP practice to be removed from the Brave AI review. (How you do this may vary slightly from practice to practice)
- decline the offer to take part in an assessment with local health and care professionals to pull together a personalised direct care plan.
If an individual would like more detail about how their data may be used in relation to the Brave AI tool, they should contact their Surgery in the first instance.
Who Owns the Brave AI Tool and Will They Have Access to my Data?
Brave AI is a medical device developed by Bering Ltd.
The Brave AI tool will be licensed for use by designated Primary Care Networks (groups of GP practices) or integrated neighbourhood teams.
The tool will only be used by approved Surgery staff and healthcare professionals.
Data is not shared directly with Bering Ltd and while Bering engineers will monitor and manage the performance of the tool, they will not have access to patient data.
All patient data will remain confidential. The tool will only be used by approved practice staff and healthcare professionals in a safe clinical environment.
How Do I Know that Brave AI is Safe?
The Brave AI tool meets NHSE clinical safety, data protection, technical security, interoperability and usability and accessibility standards.
Clinical performance of the Brave AI tool has also been validated by clinical teams on the ground.
What Should I Expect If I’m Called?
People who have been identified by the Brave AI tool as being at the highest risk, will be invited to take part in a holistic assessment so that local, integrated neighbourhood teams of health and care professionals can work together to develop a personalised care and support plan, based on what matters to the individual.
While the initial call will be made by a health and care professional –this may not be someone directly linked to your Surgery.
The person calling you will:
- confirm who they are, their role
- explain clearly why they are calling and what this will mean for you
- provide you with a choice – you can decide not to take part in the holistic assessment
- provide a time and date of when this assessment will take place and who will be involved.
You will not be required to:
- share any patient identifiable information including your – NHS number, address and telephone number
- they will not ask you for any financial information and,
- you can cross check with your Surgery if you would like to confirm the appointment.