NHS trusts will be able to apply to a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Diagnostic Fund to streamline the implementation of the most promising AI tools, Steve Barclay has announced today.
The £21m fund will enable local health leaders to bid for any AI diagnostic tool they like, although it will have to represent good value for money for the funding to be approved.
The health secretary has also pledged to ensure that AI stroke-diagnosis technology is launched in every stroke network by the end of the year – only around 14% currently benefit from this.
“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” said NHS England’s national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis.
“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.”
The reason I care about tech is simple.
— Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) June 20, 2023
It improves outcomes for patients and helps staff provide better care – and do so faster.
What we're doing 👇 pic.twitter.com/YO5S46Lqgd
The news closely follows the announcement of the new digital and AI service, launched to help both developers and adopters get to grips with all the latest regulatory information so innovations can be deployed safely and effectively.
Speeding up diagnosis via AI is a “game-changer” according to the technology secretary Chloe Smith, who said that, because of things like the digital regulatory service, the application of AI has the chance to be “truly transformative” for patient outcomes.
“Nothing could be a more fitting celebration of its 75th anniversary than a demonstration of how the NHS remains at the cutting edge of modern day technology and innovation,” said Smith.
Image credit: iStock
