What is Brave AI and how will it help patients in Somerset

The primary care networks in Somerset which are either using or are licenced to use Brave AI are:

North Sedgemoor PCN

• Axbridge Surgery
• Brent Area Medical Centre
• Burnham Medical Centre
• Cheddar Medical Centre
• Highbridge Medical Centre

Taunton Central Primary Care Network and Tone Valley

• Creech
• Lynford Park
• North Curry
• Taunton Vale Healthcare
• Warwick House Medical Practice

Taunton Deane West

• Wellington Medical Centre
• Luson
• Lister House Partnership

Bridgwater Bay Primary Care Network

• Cannington Health Centre
• Cranleigh Gardens Medical Centre
• East Quay Medical Centre
• North Petherton Surgery
• Polden Medical Practice
• Quantock Medical Centre
• Redgate Medical Centre
• Somerset Bridge Medical Centre
• Taunton Road Medical Centre

West Mendip PCN

• Glastonbury Health Centre
• Glastonbury Surgery
• Vine Surgery Partnership
• Wells City Practice
• Wells Health Centre

West Somerset PCN

• Dunster and Porlock Surgeries
• Exmoor Medical Centre
• Minehead Medical Centre
• West Somerset Healthcare

Rural Practice Network

• Queen Camel Medical Centre
• Wincanton Health Centre
• Bruton Surgery
• Milborne Port Surgery
• Milbrook Surgery Castle Cary

Mendip (Central) PCN

• Beckington Family Practice
• Grove House Surgery
• Mendip Country practice
• Oakhill Surgery
• Park Medical Practice

The medical device has also been licenced for use by 30 primary Care networks in the South West.

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are where GP practices work together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital, and voluntary services in their local areas.

They are based on GP registered patient lists, typically serving natural communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people, providing increased collaboration between practices and other local health and care providers.

You can find more information here: NHS England » Primary care networks

The device uses an algorithm to look for patterns in registered 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.

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

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.

As a patient will I be asked to give consent for either:

• my data to be analysed by the medical tool or
• to be contacted by a healthcare professional if I am identified at risk?

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 speak to their local practice in the first instance.

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 practice 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.

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.

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 practice.

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 practice if you would like to confirm the appointment.