Government invests in NHS AI to accelerate cancer diagnoses

Millions of NHS patients are expected to receive earlier diagnoses for serious conditions thanks to almost £30 million in government funding for AI and digital tools.

A scheme to expand a proven AI-powered X-ray tool to every NHS trust in Britain, notably speeding up lung cancer diagnoses, will receive £20 million of the funding, while £8.1 million will support the development and testing of 6 innovative AI and digital healthcare technologies at 12 NHS trusts and one GP partnership across England and Scotland.

The AI X-ray technology, which has been described as a “second pair of eyes” for radiologists, is currently present in half of NHS trusts, with its full expansion expected to be completed by 2029.

It has played a role in more than 4 million people receiving a faster diagnosis or an all-clear for lung cancer by reducing the time spent analysing scans from up to eight days for the most complex cases to four days on average.

Its funding comes from the AI Diagnostic Fund, which in turn is a central component of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars programme, dedicated to using AI to better public services.

The NHS hopes this will help it meet its goal, laid out in the National Cancer Plan, of ensuring that cancer patients begin treatment within 62 days of a GP referral.

Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray said that the move is an example of what the NHS’ ambition to “shift…from analogue to digital looks like in practice”.

He said: “For too many patients, a cancer diagnosis tragically comes too late. These AI tools are already changing that - giving radiologists a sharper eye, cutting waiting times and getting people the lifesaving treatment they need faster.

“Rolling this out to every NHS trust in the country means millions more patients will benefit, and that is exactly the kind of change this government is determined to deliver - regardless of where you live.”

The six AI and digital technologies also receiving funding are similarly aimed at improving care for patients with conditions such as lung cancer, heart failure, stroke, lung infections and tic disorders. They seek to achieve this by helping staff to analyse CT scans, ECGs and X-rays, provide digital therapy, and triage effectively. The tools which are proven to be effective will then be rolled out across the NHS more widely.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of NIHR, said: “This important investment in AI and innovation will cut NHS waiting times, fast-tracking diagnoses and ensuring patients receive more accessible, efficient and high-quality care.”

In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Research also announced the launch of its “Innovation Catalyst”, which will bring together research funding, national infrastructure and specialist assistance to support innovation across medtech, digital health, biotech and pharmaceuticals.