An Exeter-based healthcare company has received an £800,000 Government grant to further develop its “revolutionary” digital support package for autistic people.
Brain in Hand has won the prestigious (SBRI) Healthcare award, funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement, in recognition of what it calls a “self-management approach to support services for autistic people, both pre- and post-diagnosis”.
The company aims to transform the way autistic people are cared for via its digital support system which enables people to solve problems and face new challenges by using coping strategies on their mobile phone.
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Following a first-phase feasibility fund awarded in 2019, this phase-two funding will help to increase access to its combined digital and human based self-directed support services.
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It will allow to continue to advance the product’s capabilities, enhancing functionality, usability, and the overall experience to users and service providers, improving daily management and providing greater independence.
The cash will also fund clinical and health economic impact research enabling Brain in Hand to demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in meeting needs in autism services.
Dr Louise Morpeth, chief executive of Brain in Hand, said: “We are over the moon to be SBRI grantees and to have the opportunity to demonstrate the value of our system for autistic people.
“We are grateful to our partners for joining us on this exciting project, and especially pleased to be waving the flag for the South West.
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“The pandemic has shown that it is time to embrace the potential of technology to support those who are so often excluded or overlooked. We look forward to seeing digital health solutions take their proper place in the continuum of care.”
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Failing to support autistic people adequately costs the 海角视频 £32billion a year, while 71% of autistic adults are not getting the support they require, Brain in Hand said.
With more than 700,000 autistic people in the 海角视频4 and nine-month waiting lists, there could be 30,000 new referrals for diagnosis in the first three quarters in 2021 alone, the company said and argued that it is essential to improve the effectiveness of existing services and provide integrated and accessible solutions for those who are pre- and post-diagnosis.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the unmet needs, it said, having a negative impact on the ability to access support services, leaving many stranded or relying on families for support.
The company will now use the SBRI award to further advance its product’s capabilities and test it with 100 autistic adults.
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This will help those who participate, and their feedback will ensure changes are made to benefit more users and improve their independence.
Connor Ward, independent advisor to Brain in Hand for the SBRI application, said: “Brain in Hand has huge potential. With this funding it will become a proactive customisable support system that people will be able to access from the start, when they need it.
“Technology has played a massive part in offering autistic people greater independence and Brain in Hand’s unique and personalised approach will help users in their moments of stress and uncertainty. The autism spectrum is so wide that no one tool will be able to help everyone, however this service will develop and grow with each user, which is truly revolutionary."
Dr Louise Morpeth, Brain in Hand chief executive, said: “We believe our system is unique. No-one else provides a 24/7 dedicated digital support system for autistic people.
“The benefits of Brain in Hand have been demonstrated through partnerships with local authorities and social care providers, including national charities.
“Operating in 25% of local authorities including Devon, Kirklees, Knowsley and Hampshire, we are no longer a novelty. Rather, we are becoming part of business as usual in numerous settings.
“We pride ourselves on the high-quality support we provide for each new site – we ensure smooth implementation and make sure the right people get the right support and, importantly, we reduce burden on existing services.”
As part of the award, Brain in Hand is working with Dr Rohit Shankar, from the University of Exeter Medical School, who will lead the study with the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and University of Exeter into the system’s functionality, testing the second-generation version.
Dr Shankar. Said: “We owe autistic people necessary tools and support to ensure they gain and maintain independence and to improve their quality of life in the challenging world we live in.
“The financial costs and lack of resource to support autistic people are significant and interventions that will aim to reduce this is extremely valuable. I believe that Brain in Hand is a potential solution.”