The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the NHS to diagnose and treat patients more quickly is being backed by a new £21million fund.
Unveiled today, the AI Diagnostic Fund will help accelerate the deployment of the most promising AI imaging and decision support tools to help diagnose patients more quickly for conditions including stroke.
Steve Barclay, Health and Social Care Secretary, has also committed to rolling out AI stroke-diagnosis technology to 100 per cent of stroke networks by the end of 2023 – up from 86 per cent currently – helping thousands of patients access faster treatment after stroke.
The use of AI in the NHS is already having a positive impact on outcomes for patients, with AI in some cases halving the time for stroke survivors to get the treatment they need by helping doctors diagnose stroke faster, which has been shown to triple the chance of patients living independently after a stroke.
Dr Deb Lowe, national clinical director for stroke medicine at NHS England, said: “The use of AI decision support software in the initial stages of stroke care means patients get interventions quicker, reducing the likelihood of disability and saving the brains.
“We are already seeing the positive impact of AI decision support software on stroke care, where rapid assessment and treatment are of the essence, and we now have real world evidence of the benefit for NHS patients.
“As we approach the NHS’s 75th birthday and look ahead to the future, funding this technology will be key to reducing disability and saving brains.”
The announcement was also welcomed by the Alzheimer’s Society, whose commitment to AI is shown through its involvement in the Longitude Prize on Dementia.
Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “While much of recent debate about artificial intelligence has focused on potential risks, there is no doubt that it offers enormous opportunities for healthcare.
“Beyond diagnosis, AI will increasingly be used to transform how we live with chronic diseases, including dementia.
“Earlier this week, Alzheimer’s Society and the UK government, through Innovate UK, awarded £1.9million in funding to semi-finalists in the Longitude Prize on Dementia. 24 teams of innovators are developing AI powered technologies designed to learn about a person and adapt to their changing condition to help them remain independent for as long as possible.
“It’s vital people with dementia are enabled to live independently, doing things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible. And that’s exactly what tech innovation can provide. ”
The £21million ringfenced funding will be open for bids for any AI diagnostic tool that NHS Trusts want to deploy.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “The NHS is already harnessing the benefits of AI across the country in helping to catch and treat major diseases earlier, as well as better managing waiting lists so patients can be seen quicker.
“As we approach our milestone 75th birthday, this is another example of how NHS is continuing its proud history of adopting the latest proven technology to deliver better care for patients, and better value for taxpayers.”
