How Is The UK Accelerating The Use Of AI In The NHS?
The National Health Service (NHS) is set to trial a new AI screening platform, AIR-SP, funded by £6 million from the government. This cloud-based system will enable hospitals to conduct research trials of AI tools more efficiently and at reduced costs.
The National Health Service (NHS) is set to trial a new AI screening platform, AIR-SP, funded by £6 million from the government. This cloud-based system will enable hospitals to conduct research trials of AI tools more efficiently and at reduced costs.
Currently, 90% of AI screening tools remain in pilot phases due to the necessity for each hospital to establish its own IT infrastructure, a process both costly and time-consuming. The AIR-SP platform will provide a secure, unified environment connecting NHS trusts nationwide, potentially saving £2 to £3 million for each multi-site study, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
The initial project will involve nearly 700,000 women across England, testing AI tools designed to detect changes in breast tissue that may indicate cancer. NHS England asserts that this will facilitate earlier patient referrals for additional checks.
The AIR-SP system aims to reduce the significant IT costs associated with linking systems across trusts, which can reach up to £3.5 million per study. This national system is anticipated to decrease these expenses and expedite the adoption of promising tools identified in smaller studies.
Alongside the screening trials, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has established a National Commission to provide guidance on AI in healthcare. This Commission will assess AI tools delayed by regulatory uncertainties, including AI-assisted note-taking and remote patient monitoring technologies.
The National Health Service (NHS) is set to trial a new AI screening platform, AIR-SP, funded by £6 million from the government.
Chaired by Professor Alastair Denniston, the Commission will advise on new regulatory frameworks, scheduled for release next year, and includes members from various sectors such as clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and tech firms like Google and Microsoft.
Health Innovation Minister Zubir Ahmed emphasized the Commission's role in leveraging AI to enhance patient care while ensuring safety standards. The Commission will also solicit input from patient groups and healthcare bodies to inform its recommendations.
AI is currently utilized in all stroke units in England for brain scan analysis and diagnosis support, with 50% of hospital trusts employing AI to identify conditions like lung cancer. Research indicates a 42% reduction in diagnostic errors in hospitals using AI diagnostics.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that AI could significantly aid in early disease detection and treatment. She highlighted the Commission's role in ensuring the safe and rapid deployment of these technologies.
The new initiatives are expected to save time, as demonstrated by "ambient voice" technology, which reduces paperwork and allows doctors to attend to more patients. AI monitoring systems can alert staff to early signs of patient deterioration, potentially decreasing emergency admissions.
Professor Henrietta Hughes, Deputy Chair of the Commission, acknowledged AI's potential benefits but stressed the need for careful regulation. The Commission is also seen as a vehicle for attracting investment, with MHRA's Chief Executive Lawrence Tallon emphasizing the need for regulation to keep pace with innovation.
NHS England has incorporated AI as a key component in its Plan for Change, aiming to transition from analogue to digital healthcare systems.
Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.