A first-of-its-kind collaboration between government experts and NHS England (NHSE) is set to help the NHS workforce harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced.
The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence signed a Collaboration Charter with NHSE late last week in a move that will enable technical experts to identify areas where technology can be used to:
- Speed up patient care
- Improve staff experience
- Enhance operational efficiency
The partnership will focus on non-clinical AI solutions and will not develop new AI-based medical devices or products, according to the DHSC.
Parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart, and health minister, Lord Markham, signed the charter.
“The Charter signed today marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership between our rapidly growing team of AI experts within central government and NHSE,” said Alex.
Government AI specialists have already been working across the public sector to accelerate the use of cutting-edge technology – the signing of the Collaboration Charter was first announced by deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden, at his speech at Imperial College London in late February.
NHSE’s transformation director, Dr Vin Diwakar, explained: “The NHS has already rolled out proven AI solutions, including to improve stroke care, and we see the potential for far wider applications that improve experience for patients and release more time for care.”
Today @alexburghart & Lord Markham signed a first of a kind Collaboration Charter between https://t.co/FPBA5BBVh4 and NHSE, to support the use of AI in the NHS. pic.twitter.com/di1BMXJ7xf
— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) April 25, 2024
Vin added: “Collaborating with experts across government offers the opportunity to find even more uses for AI solutions that free up time and money to reinvest in better services for those who need them.”
National Health Executive recently reported on the Cambridge University study that found the AI that powers ChatGPT can assess eye problems to a better standard than some doctors.
An online conference will also be hosted next week dedicated to digital health, where leaders from across the sector will come together to discuss everything from a technology-enabled workforce, to how AI can impact health inequalities and operational efficiency. Register now to access expert insight from the NHS, the private sector and academia.
Image credit: iStock
