The Prime Minister’s Office has announced plan for the roll out of an AI technology for cancer diagnoses to every NHS radiotherapy department in England over the next few weeks.
It said the Government is making £15.5 million available for the implementation of an AI that can review CT and MRI scans to locate cancer cells 2.5 times quicker than doctors alone. Trained health workers will review reports before administering any treatment.
The Government said the technology will help to cut waiting times for cancer treatments in the NHS.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “This is an exciting breakthrough in our work to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, and AI is helping to make our healthcare system faster, simpler and fairer.”
Dr Imogen Locke, national speciality adviser for radiotherapy at NHS England said: “The NHS is embracing AI and its benefits for cancer patients and every radiotherapy department will soon be able to offer the latest technology to help diagnose and treat patients more quickly.
“We are seeing a record number of referrals for suspected cancer, and game changing tools like AI will help the NHS continue the significant progress made in tackling the longest waits for patients.”
